What type of tissue is characterized by the absence of blood vessels and poor regeneration?

The answer is indeed cartilage, which is a type of connective tissue. Cartilage is unique in that it lacks direct blood supply; instead, it receives nutrients through diffusion from surrounding tissues. This absence of blood vessels contributes to its relatively poor regenerative capacity. When damaged, cartilage heals much slower than other tissues because cells called chondrocytes, which maintain the cartilage matrix, have a limited ability to reproduce and repair the tissue.

The structure of cartilage—consisting largely of water, collagen fibers, and proteoglycans—gives it strength and flexibility, which are critical for its various functions in joints and other areas. Because it does not have a vascular supply, this limits oxygen and nutrient delivery necessary for rapid healing processes, making it susceptible to degeneration and injuries that can impact its function.

In contrast, bone is a highly vascularized tissue with significant regenerative capabilities; skeletal muscle has good regenerative potential due to the presence of satellite cells; and dense connective tissue, while also having a lower rate of regeneration compared to other tissues, still possesses fibroblasts that can assist in repair. Thus, the characteristic features of cartilage make it the correct answer to the question regarding the type of tissue marked by the absence of blood vessels and poor regeneration.