For electrospun PLGA fibers, fibers are collected to create ___________ fibers, to mimic the native tendon tissue.

The process of electrospinning PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) to create fibers is important for mimicking the structure of native tendon tissue, which exhibits a highly organized arrangement. Collecting the fibers in a parallel aligned manner is significant because tendons are characterized by their aligned collagen fibers, which provide tensile strength and directional properties crucial for their function.

When fibers are aligned parallel, they can better simulate the natural architecture of tendon tissue, facilitating appropriate cell orientation and promoting better cellular interactions essential for tissue regeneration. The alignment helps in translating the mechanical and functional properties of native tendons into the engineered construct.

Other options, such as crosslinked, branched, or homogenous fibers, do not accurately represent the hierarchical structure of tendon tissue. Crosslinked fibers would imply a different type of chemical interaction that is not solely representative of how tendon fibers are organized. Branched fibers suggest a more complex network that is not characteristic of tendons. Homogenous fibers would lack the necessary structural organization and alignment to sufficiently mimic the properties of native tendon tissue. Thus, the choice of parallel aligned fibers is critical for effective tendon tissue engineering.