Final answer:
Articular cartilage (A) is the structure that persists for life. It remains at the joint surfaces throughout life, unlike the epiphyseal plate, primary ossification center, and primary bone which do not persist for life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure that persists for life from the options provided is A) articular cartilage. Articular cartilage remains at the joint surface and is essential for providing a smooth, lubricated surface for articulation and to facilitate the transmission of loads with a low frictional coefficient. In comparison, the epiphyseal plate (B), which is responsible for bone lengthening during growth, eventually disappears when it ossifies and becomes the epiphyseal line. It does not persist for life. The primary ossification center (D) is an area where bone tissue begins to replace cartilage during fetal development and is also not permanent. Although primary bone (C) forms during the initial stages of bone development, it is later remodeled and replaced by secondary bone, so it too does not persist for life.