Final answer:
Collagen is not a proteoglycan; it is a protein that provides strength to connective tissue and is distinct from proteoglycans, which are protein-polysaccharide complexes like glycosaminoglycans. So the correct answer is
option (B).
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question Which of the following is not a proteoglycan found in the matrix of connective tissue? is b. collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals and a major component of the extracellular matrix in connective tissues. However, it is not a proteoglycan. Proteoglycans consist of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are long chains of polysaccharides that are often covalently linked to proteins.
These molecules form hydrated gels in the extracellular matrix and play a crucial role in the matrix's structural integrity. Collagen, on the other hand, provides strength to the connective tissue and is involved in the formation of fibrous structures. It is not covalently linked to polysaccharide branches like proteoglycans and does not trap water in the same way.