Final answer:
The area nearest to the epiphysis containing randomly arranged chondrocytes is the reserve zone of the epiphyseal plate, thus the correct answer is d) Epiphyseal Plate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area nearest to the epiphysis that contains randomly arranged chondrocytes is known as the reserve zone of the epiphyseal plate. This reserve zone is the region closest to the epiphyseal end of the plate and contains small chondrocytes within the cartilage matrix. These chondrocytes are not directly involved in bone growth; instead, their role is to anchor the epiphyseal plate to the osseous tissue of the epiphysis. With these considerations, the correct answer to the student's question is d) Epiphyseal Plate.
Bones grow in length at the epiphyseal plate through a process of endochondral ossification. In this process, cartilage is continuously formed on the epiphyseal side of the plate, while on the diaphyseal side, it is ossified, allowing for the lengthening of the diaphysis.