The correct answer is option 4: Connective tissue. Blood is classified as a type of connective tissue. Connective tissue is a type of tissue found in the body that provides support, structure, and protection to organs and other tissues. It is characterized by having a specialized extracellular matrix, which is a substance that surrounds and supports the cells.
Blood consists of cells suspended in a fluid matrix called plasma. The cellular components of blood include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells are responsible for various functions such as oxygen transport, immune response, and blood clotting. The plasma in blood contains dissolved nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products.
While epithelial tissue, muscular tissue, and nervous tissue are also types of tissues found in the body, they have different characteristics and functions compared to connective tissue. Epithelial tissue covers and protects body surfaces, muscular tissue contracts to produce movement, and nervous tissue transmits electrical signals for communication.