Which term describes the process of making a tissue hard?

The term that describes the process of making a tissue hard is sclerosis. This condition involves the thickening and hardening of the tissue, often due to the accumulation of collagen or other structural proteins. Sclerosis can occur in various contexts, such as in diseases affecting the connective tissues or in certain organ systems, and it may impede normal function.

Hypertrophy, on the other hand, refers to the increase in the size of cells or tissues, typically due to increased workload or stimulation. Atrophy is the opposite process, characterized by a decrease in tissue size or cell number due to disuse, decreased blood supply, or other factors resulting in tissue degeneration. Necrosis denotes the process of cell death caused by factors like infection, toxins, or lack of blood supply, leading to tissue damage rather than hardening. Therefore, sclerosis is the most fitting term for describing the hardening of tissues.