Final answer:
The multipennate muscle design, as seen in the deltoid muscle, generates the greatest amount of force on its tendon due to its high density of muscle fibers compared to unipennate and bipennate muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing types of skeletal muscle and their force generation on a single tendon, we find that the multipennate muscle design, exemplified by the deltoid muscle, is capable of producing the greatest force. The unique arrangement of fibers in multipennate muscles allows for a higher density of muscle fibers, which contributes significantly to force generation.
In contrast, unipennate and bipennate muscles, which include the extensor digitorum and other muscles with fascicles on one or both sides of their central tendons, respectively, have fewer muscle fibers and therefore generate less force than multipennate muscles.