Which structure provides cushion to the joints and absorbs shock during movement?

The correct structure that provides cushion to the joints and absorbs shock during movement is cartilage. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body, including the joints. Its primary role in joints is to reduce friction between the bones, allowing smooth movement and providing a protective cushioning effect. This ability to absorb shock is crucial during dynamic activities like walking, running, and jumping, where joints experience significant stress.

Other structures like bone provide support and form the framework of the skeleton, while tendons connect muscles to bones and ligaments connect bones to other bones, contributing to joint stability. However, none of these structures have the specific cushioning and shock-absorbing functions that cartilage provides in the context of joint movement.