Which of the following is not a characteristic of tendons?

Tendons are specialized connective tissues that connect muscle to bone and are subjected to significant tensile forces. Their characteristics include high mechanical strength, which allows them to withstand these forces without tearing. Tendons are also known for their low vascularity, meaning they have a relatively sparse blood supply, which is a factor that influences their healing capacity following injury. Additionally, tendons have a slow metabolic rate, which reflects their limited blood supply and lower metabolic demands compared to more actively regenerating tissues.

The characteristic of having a high metabolic rate does not apply to tendons. Their primarily structural role focuses on stability and strength rather than metabolic activity. This is essential for their function, as increased metabolic activity could compromise their structural integrity and performance in withstanding repetitive loading or tensile forces. Hence, selecting high metabolic rate correctly identifies a characteristic not associated with tendons.