Final answer:
The ground substance in typical connective tissue matrix consists of organic and inorganic substances produced by fibroblasts. It combines with extracellular fluids and fibrous proteins to form the extracellular matrix, which gives the tissue its density. Connective tissues can be classified based on the characteristics of their ground substance and the types of fibers within the matrix.
Step-by-step explanation:
Connective tissues are made up of a matrix consisting of living cells and a non-living substance, called the ground substance. The ground substance is made of an organic substance (usually a protein) and an inorganic substance (usually a mineral or water). The principal cell of connective tissues is the fibroblast. This cell makes the fibers found in nearly all of the connective tissues.
Ground substance, meanwhile, is made up of polysaccharides and proteins secreted by fibroblasts. It combines with extracellular fluids to produce a viscous ground substance that, along with embedded fibrous proteins, forms the extracellular matrix. The matrix gives the tissue its density.
The three broad categories of connective tissue are classified according to the characteristics of their ground substance and the types of fibers found within the matrix. Connective tissue proper includes loose connective tissue and dense connective tissue. Both tissues have a variety of cell types and protein fibers suspended in a viscous ground substance. Supportive connective tissue, such as bone and cartilage, has a few distinct cell types and densely packed fibers in a matrix.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question is option B) collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers. These fibers are embedded in the ground substance, which consists of organic and inorganic substances, and gives connective tissues their density.