The difference between a merger and an acquisition is: A. A merger does not combine the assets and liabilities of firms, whereas an acquisition combines assets and liabilities. B. A merger combines the assets of the two firms, but each company continues to assume its own liabilities, whereas an acquisition is a total buyout of one firm by another. C. A merger is the joining of resources of two companies, whereas an acquisition is a buyout of one firm by the other. The new company concerns itself with merging of resources. D. A merger is always something smaller tagging onto something larger, like a merging lane onto an interstate, whereas an acquisition is two firms that are relatively the same size agreeing to continue as one - more like two major interstates that come together and travel as one for several miles