Final answer:
During the proliferation phase of wound healing, collagen deposited by fibroblasts forms into fibers that give the wound about 25-30% of its original tensile strength, resulting in the formation of scar tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the proliferation phase of wound healing, it is collagen that forms into fibers and gives the wound approximately 25-30% of its original tensile strength. Fibroblasts generate this scar tissue as they deposit collagen, which differs from normal skin in its composition. The collagen fibers assume a basket-weave pattern that contributes to the strength of the healing tissue, though this structure differs significantly from the original skin architecture.
While new blood vessels do form to vascularize the tissue, and the epidermis can regenerate from basal stem cells, it is the collagen-rich scar tissue that is primarily responsible for the regained tensile strength during the initial stages of wound repair.