Read the paragraphs. "I want you to carefully scrutinize the plants at your lab tables,” our science teacher, Mrs. Sharma, instructed.

My lab partner, Sasha, and I leaned in closer to take a better look at the purple flowers. I took careful note of each segment I could recognize. I wrote them down in my notebook.

"What do you observe about their shapes? What different parts can you identify?” Mrs. Sharma asked.

Based on the context clues in the paragraphs, what does the word "scrutinize” mean?

A. examine
B. expose
C. disturb
D. connect