What does the osteoclast do?

What does the osteoclast do?

• A. Dissolve bone
• B. Build bone
• C. Maintain bone
• D. Store minerals

Answer: (A)

Osteoclasts are the bone-resorbing cells. Their role is to dissolve bone tissue during remodeling. They attach to the bone surface and create a resorption pit, releasing acid to dissolve the mineral matrix and enzymes to break down the organic components. This resorption releases minerals like calcium and phosphate into the bloodstream and clears old bone so osteoblasts can form new bone afterward. Building bone is done by osteoblasts, maintaining bone involves the coordinated activity of osteocytes and the remodeling cycle, and storing minerals reflects bone’s reservoir function rather than the direct action of osteoclasts. So dissolving bone is the specific function of the osteoclast.

Osteoclasts are the bone-resorbing cells. Their role is to dissolve bone tissue during remodeling. They attach to the bone surface and create a resorption pit, releasing acid to dissolve the mineral matrix and enzymes to break down the organic components. This resorption releases minerals like calcium and phosphate into the bloodstream and clears old bone so osteoblasts can form new bone afterward. Building bone is done by osteoblasts, maintaining bone involves the coordinated activity of osteocytes and the remodeling cycle, and storing minerals reflects bone’s reservoir function rather than the direct action of osteoclasts. So dissolving bone is the specific function of the osteoclast.