Final answer:
Cadherins are proteins attached to intermediate filaments in areas of mechanical stress, forming cell structures known as desmosomes to provide tensile strength to tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proteins attached to intermediate filaments in regions where cells are exposed to mechanical stresses are known as cadherins. Cadherins are involved in forming desmosomes, which are cell structures that function like spot welds between adjacent epithelial cells. These adhesive proteins provide tensile strength to tissues by forming cell-to-cell junctions, especially in organs and tissues that experience stretching, such as the skin, heart, and muscles.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is B) Cadherins.