Final answer:
The correct answer to what a strong, tough strand or cord that attaches muscle to bone is a tendon. Tendons are composed of fibrous connective tissue rich in collagen fibers, enabling them to withstand muscular forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
A strong, tough strand or cord of dense connective tissue that serves as attachment for muscle to bone is d) a tendon.
Tendons are made of fibrous connective tissue that is abundant in collagen fibers. These collagen fibers are aligned in parallel, which gives the tendon its strength and the capability to withstand the forces exerted by muscle contractions. Unlike ligaments, which connect bone to bone and contain both collagen and elastin, tendons strictly attach muscles to bones and are crucial for transferring the force needed to move the bones and hence the body.