Correct Option
The correct option isBone is non-pliable, whereas cartilage is pliable.
Explanation
Bone and cartilage are specialized connective tissues that form the skeletal framework of vertebrates. The primary distinction between them lies in the physical nature and chemical composition of their intercellular matrix (ground substance).
Option Analysis
- Bone has a fluid matrix, whereas cartilage has a solid matrix. is Incorrect: Bone does not have a fluid matrix; it possesses a hard, solid matrix. Cartilage also has a solid matrix. The only connective tissue with a fluid matrix is blood.
- Bone is non-pliable, whereas cartilage is pliable. is Correct: The matrix of bone is hard and non-pliable because it is rich in calcium salts and collagen fibres, which provide strength. In contrast, the matrix of cartilage is solid but pliable and resists compression due to the presence of chondroitin salts.
- Bone matrix is rich in proteins, whereas cartilage matrix is rich in calcium. is Incorrect: This statement reverses the composition. The bone matrix is rich in calcium salts (calcium phosphate), whereas the cartilage matrix is composed primarily of proteins and sugars (chondroitin sulphate).
- Bone cells are tightly packed, whereas cartilage cells are widely spaced. is Incorrect: While the density of cells may vary, this is not the defining difference. In both tissues, cells (osteocytes in bone and chondrocytes in cartilage) are embedded in cavities known as lacunae within the matrix.
Key Takeaway: Bone is a hard, non-pliable tissue characterized by a calcium-rich matrix, whereas cartilage is a solid yet pliable tissue characterized by a matrix rich in chondroitin salts.