OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Which of the following statements best describes the knee joint's supporting structure?

1. It is primarily held together by muscles

2. It is primarily held together by ligaments

3. It is primarily held together by tendons

4. It has no significant supporting structure

The correct answer is: It is primarily held together by tendons

The knee joint's supporting structure is best described as being primarily held together by ligaments. Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that connect bones to other bones, providing stability and support to the joint. In the case of the knee, ligaments such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) play crucial roles in maintaining the joint's integrity during movement. While tendons do attach muscles to bones and aid in movement, they do not provide the same type of stability that ligaments do for the knee joint. Similarly, while muscles can support movement and contribute to overall joint stability, they do not directly connect bones like ligaments. Therefore, the best description of the supporting structure of the knee joint is that it is primarily held together by ligaments.