What movement characteristic is associated with muscular tissue?

Muscular tissue is primarily characterized by its ability to contract and relax, facilitating movement within the body. This contraction and relaxation are essential for various functions, including locomotion, the movement of food through the digestive tract, and even the pumping of blood by the heart. Muscles are specialized to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, allowing for these movements which are vital to maintain bodily functions and respond to external stimuli.

The other choices refer to other tissue types and their functions. For instance, the protection of organs is largely a role of connective tissue, particularly in the form of fascia and capsules surrounding organs. Regeneration of damaged cells is commonly associated with epithelial and certain connective tissues, which can repair and regenerate more effectively than muscular tissue. The transport of nutrients is primarily a function of blood (a specialized connective tissue), as well as the roles of epithelial tissues in the absorption processes. Hence, the characteristic of contraction and relaxation is uniquely tied to muscular tissue, making it the correct response.