Final answer:
Fibroblasts organize the collagen of the extracellular matrix by pulling it into sheets or cables after secretion, providing tensile strength to connective tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fibroblasts organize the collagen of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by d. pulling the collagen into sheets or cables after it has been secreted. This process is critical in the formation of connective tissue. Fibroblasts, the most abundant cells in connective tissue, are responsible for secreting collagen fibers. These collagen fibers are then organized by the fibroblasts into the necessary structures that provide connective tissue with its characteristic resilience and strength. Collagen is a flexible fibrous protein that gives connective tissue its tensile strength, crucial for holding tissues together and enabling support and movement within the body.