The function of producing red blood cells is primarily performed by which type of tissue?

The correct answer is bone tissue, as it plays a central role in the production of red blood cells, a process known as erythropoiesis. This process occurs within the bone marrow, specifically in the red marrow found in certain bones like the pelvis, ribs, and vertebrae in adults. Bone tissue not only provides the structure for the body but also houses hematopoietic stem cells, which differentiate into various blood cells, including red blood cells.

While muscle tissue is responsible for movement and contraction, nervous tissue is involved in transmitting signals throughout the body, and connective tissue typically supports, binds, or separates other tissues and organs. None of these other tissue types are directly involved in the production of blood cells. This specificity of function highlights the unique role of bone tissue in the hematopoietic system.