__________ connect muscles to bones, whereas _________ connect bones to bones.

The correct response highlights an essential aspect of the musculoskeletal system. Tendons serve the critical function of connecting muscles to bones, enabling movement by transmitting the force generated by muscles when they contract. This connection is crucial for activities ranging from walking to complex athletic maneuvers.

On the other hand, ligaments play a different, yet equally vital role: they connect bones to other bones at joints. This provides stability and support, ensuring that the bones remain in place during movement and preventing excessive motion that could lead to injury. The distinction between these two types of connective tissues is fundamental to understanding how the body maintains its structure and functionality.

In contrast, cartilage serves as a flexible tissue that cushions bones at joints but does not connect bones to each other or muscles to bones. It provides support and protects joints but is not classified as a connector in the same way that tendons and ligaments are.