Calcified cartilage is

Options

A. Soft
B. Hard
C. Fibrous
D. None of the above.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Calcified Cartilage**:
- Calcified cartilage is a type of connective tissue that has undergone a process of calcification, meaning it has been hardened by the deposition of calcium salts.

2. **Location of Calcified Cartilage**:
- It is found between articular cartilage (the smooth cartilage at the ends of bones) and subchondral bone (the layer of bone just below the cartilage).

3. **Formation of Calcified Cartilage**:
- The hard nature of calcified cartilage is due to the deposition of insoluble calcium salts within the cartilage matrix. This process is similar to what occurs in bone formation.

4. **Analyzing the Options**:
- Option 1: Soft - Incorrect, as calcified cartilage is hard.
- Option 2: Hard - Correct, as calcified cartilage is indeed hard due to calcium deposition.
- Option 3: Fibrous - Incorrect, as fibrous cartilage is a different type of cartilage that is not calcified.
- Option 4: None of the above - Incorrect, since option 2 is correct.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the understanding of calcified cartilage and the analysis of the options, the correct answer is option 2: Hard.

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