Which tissue is nonliving and attached to the nail plate?

The cuticle is the correct answer because it is a layer of hard, nonliving tissue that serves as a protective barrier at the base of the nail plate. It acts to prevent microorganisms from entering the area between the nail plate and the skin, thus safeguarding the nail matrix and the underlying living tissues from infection and damage.

The bed epithelium is living tissue that forms the nail bed and is responsible for the growth and nourishment of the nail plate. The hyponychium is also living tissue and is located beneath the free edge of the nail, providing a barrier between the outer nail and the surrounding skin. The eponychium, which is often confused with the cuticle, is a fold of skin at the base of the nail that overlaps the nail plate and is living tissue. Therefore, the cuticle stands out as the nonliving component that plays a crucial role in nail health.