Skeletal muscles produce movement by exerting force on ________ which pull on bones.

Skeletal muscles produce movement by exerting force on tendons, which are fibrous connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. When a skeletal muscle contracts, it pulls on the tendon attached to it, resulting in the movement of the bone to which the tendon is connected. This action is essential for all voluntary movements of the body, as tendons act as the intermediary structure that translates the muscle's force into skeletal motion, enabling activities such as walking, running, lifting, and other physical actions.

While other options such as cartilage, ligaments, and fascia play important roles in the musculoskeletal system, they do not directly facilitate the movement produced by muscles. Cartilage serves as a cushion between bones, ligaments connect bone to bone for stability, and fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds muscles and organs. Each of these components has distinct functions that support the overall structure and stability of the skeletal system but do not directly pull on bones to create movement like tendons do.