Final answer:
Hard tissues like bones, cartilage, and teeth are rigid and support the body, while soft tissues such as blood vessels are flexible and allow for essential functions like blood circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hard tissues in the human body include items such as bones, cartilage, and teeth. These tissues are characterized by their rigid structure and role in supporting the body, protecting internal organs, and facilitating movement. Bone, or osseous tissue, is particularly a hard, dense connective tissue that forms the adult skeleton. It contains a mineralized matrix rich in calcium phosphate and collagen fibers that provide strength and rigidity. Cartilage is a semi-rigid form of connective tissue that provides flexibility in parts of the skeleton such as the ribcage and joints.
Soft tissues in the body, on the other hand, include items such as blood vessels. These tissues are not as hard or rigid as bone and cartilage, allowing for vital functions such as the circulation of blood throughout the body. Soft tissues typically play roles in bodily functions that require flexibility and movement, as is the case with muscles, tendons, and the aforementioned blood vessels.