Final answer:
Purkinje fiber is not a component of connective tissue; it is found in the heart's ventricles. Connective tissue contains collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fiber that is NOT found in connective tissue is d. Purkinje fiber. Connective tissue is typically composed of three types of fibers:
- Collagen fiber - provides tensile strength to the tissue,
- Elastic fiber - made of elastin, offering flexibility and the ability to stretch and return to its original shape,
- Reticular fiber - thin strands of collagen arranged in a network to support tissues and organs.
Purkinje fibers, on the other hand, are specialized conductive fibers found in the heart's ventricles. They are not a component of connective tissue but are essential for the propagation of electrical impulses within the cardiac muscle.