Final answer:
Collagen fibers are flexible but nonelastic fibers that provide tensile strength. They are found in connective tissues and help prevent tearing or separation from the surrounding tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is A) Collagen.
Collagen fibers are the fibrous proteins found in connective tissues that provide tensile strength or resistance to longitudinal stress. They are flexible in nature but not elastic. These fibers help prevent the tissue from tearing or separating from the surrounding tissues.
For example, collagen fibers are present in tendons, which connect muscles to bones. These fibers give tendons their strength and allow them to withstand the forces applied during movement.