Which type of body tissue includes bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and fat?

The correct answer is connective tissue because this category is specifically responsible for supporting, connecting, and binding other tissues and organs in the body. Bone and cartilage provide structural support and protection, while ligaments connect bones to one another, aiding in joint stability. Tendons connect muscles to bones, facilitating movement, and fat serves as a cushion and energy reserve, also playing a role in insulation. Each of these components shares a characteristic of being largely composed of a matrix that allows the cells to be dispersed throughout rather than densely packed, which is a distinct feature of connective tissue.

Epithelial tissue, in contrast, covers body surfaces and lines cavities, playing roles in protection, absorption, and secretion, but does not include the structures listed in the question. Muscle tissue is responsible for movement and includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles, which are specialized for contraction and do not include connective elements like bone or fat. Nervous tissue is involved in transmitting impulses and processing information through neurons and glial cells, and does not relate to the structural support provided by connective tissues like tendons or ligaments. Therefore, the unique role and characteristics of connective tissue make it the best answer for the types of body tissues listed in the question.