Which tissue is classified as supportive connective tissue?

• A. Dense regular connective tissue
• B. Blood
• C. Bone
• D. Mucous membrane

Answer: (C)

Supportive connective tissue provides the framework that gives shape, support, and protection to the body. Bone fits this role best because its extracellular matrix is heavily mineralized—calcium phosphate minerals lock in a rigid, load-bearing structure. This rigidity forms the skeleton, protects organs, and serves as a storage site for minerals while housing bone marrow. The tissue also supports muscles as attachment points and enables movement when muscles pull on its rigid framework. Other tissues mentioned don’t provide that same rigid framework: dense regular connective tissue is rich in parallel collagen fibers for strong attachments like tendons and ligaments, but it isn’t mineralized and thus isn’t the rigid skeleton; blood is a fluid connective tissue specialized for transport; mucous membrane combines epithelium with loose connective tissue and functions in lining and protection, not as a structural scaffold.