Which connective tissue cushions joints and reduces friction between bones?

• A. Tendon
• B. Muscle
• C. Cartilage
• D. Ligament

Answer: (C)

Cartilage provides the smooth, low-friction surface inside a joint. The ends of bones are covered with articular cartilage, which creates a slippery, cushioned interface that lets bones glide over each other more easily and helps absorb some of the load during movement. This makes joint movement smoother and reduces wear on the bones. Other tissues have different roles: tendons connect muscles to bones to enable movement, ligaments hold bones together for stability, and muscles generate the force for movement. None of these create the cushioned, sliding surface that cartilage provides, so cartilage is the correct choice.