Bone And Osteoblasts

Bone functions as support and protection for the body as most of us may know. However, bones also function as a storage place for many essential life sustaining minerals. Calcium is the main mineral that bone is primarily composed of, and is very essential for other important body systems. When calcium levels are not adequate in the body from diet alone the body taps into the bones to get the calcium that cells organs nerves and muscles need. When the amounts of calcium are enough for the body, then bones can continue the remodeling process of the bones. Over the course of a person’s life bones are remodeled over and over again many times. Remodeling is a term that means the breakdown and re-creation of bone. This is done so bones can grow and become
The osteoblasts that do not get buried by the matrix or become osteocytes continue to the outside of the matrix and become bone-lining cells. These cells regulate the flow of minerals into and out of the blood from the bone. Osteoclasts on the other hand are cells that are involved in the breakdown of bone. The breakdown of this bone is called reabsorption. These osteoclasts circulate throughout the blood so they are available where ever the breakdown of bone may need to occur. Osteoblasts seal to a part of the bone that is needed to be broken down and forms a seal on the surface. It creates a ruffled border, which contains molecules that transfer hydrogen to the bone. This hydrogen causes the bone to dissolve in this area. The ruffled boarded created by these osteocytes also releases enzymes that break down bone matrix. When the osteoclasts have broken down as much bone as intended the undergo apoptosis, which is simply the cell death of the osteoclast. The rest of the bone break down is done by mononuclear cells. When the osteoclasts break down too much bone at one time this can lead to a deficiency called