If joints lacked cartilage, what would be a likely outcome during movement?

• A. Movement Would Be Hindered And Bones Rub Together
• B. Cardiac Function Would Fail
• C. Muscles Would Fail To Contract
• D. Endoskeleton Would Be Too Flexible

Answer: (A)

Cartilage in joints acts as a smooth, cushioned lining that reduces friction and absorbs shock between bone surfaces during movement. Without it, the ends of the bones would rub directly against each other as you move, causing increased friction, wear, and pain. Movement would be hindered because the joint wouldn’t glide smoothly, and over time the constant bone-on-bone contact could lead to swelling, inflammation, and decreased range of motion.

This idea isn’t about other body systems. Cardiac function isn’t dependent on joint cartilage, muscles don’t fail to contract because cartilage is missing from joints, and the skeleton wouldn’t simply become “too flexible”—the lack of cushioning would mainly compromise joint stability and mobility, not the overall architecture in a way that makes bones just overly flexible.