Final answer:
Muscle fatigue (option C) is the inability of a muscle to contract and produce tension in response to neural stimuli. It is distinct from muscle atrophy, hypertrophy, and paralysis, which are related to changes in muscle size or a complete loss of muscle function.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a normally functioning muscle, the inability to contract and produce tension is called muscle fatigue. Muscle fatigue occurs when a muscle can no longer contract in response to signals from the nervous system, despite the presence of neural stimuli. A decrease in muscle size due to disuse or disease is known as muscle atrophy, while an increase in muscle size is referred to as hypertrophy. Muscle paralysis, on the other hand, refers to a complete loss of muscle function, often due to nerve damage or other serious conditions.