Final answer:
Option "d. the tie-rod end" is the correct answer as it possesses the mechanical resemblance to a ball-and-socket joint, allowing for a range of steering motions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option "d. the tie-rod end". Ball-and-socket joints are characterized by a rounded, ball-like end of one bone fitting snugly into a cuplike socket of another bone.
This anatomy allows for maximum range of motion, with the ability to move in all directions. In the human body, the prime examples of ball-and-socket joints are the shoulder (glenohumeral joint) and hip (hip joint) joints.
When considering components of a vehicle's steering system, the tie-rod end closest resembles a ball-and-socket joint because it must allow for a range of motion that accommodates various angles of steering.
Although not identical to the biological ball-and-socket joints found in the human body, the concept is similar in its mechanical function.