Which type of connective tissue has the ability to withstand great tensile stress?

Dense regular connective tissue is specifically designed to withstand significant tensile stress. This type of connective tissue is composed mainly of closely packed collagen fibers that are aligned in parallel, which provides a strong, resilient structure ideal for resisting stretching forces. This structural organization allows dense regular connective tissue to connect muscles to bones (tendons) and bones to other bones (ligaments) effectively.

In contrast, loose connective tissue, while supportive and flexible, does not have the density or alignment necessary to handle significant tensile forces. Cartilage, though resilient and capable of bearing weight, primarily provides support and cushioning rather than tensile strength, and its fibers are not arranged in the same parallel organization. Blood, on the other hand, is a liquid connective tissue and does not play a role in tensile stress resistance at all. Therefore, dense regular connective tissue is uniquely suited for functions where tensile strength is paramount, such as in tendons and ligaments.