Which cell type is primarily responsible for bone resorption during remodeling?

Which cell type is primarily responsible for bone resorption during remodeling?

• A. Osteoclasts
• B. Osteoblasts
• C. Osteocytes
• D. Chondrocytes

Answer: (A)

Bone remodeling involves a coordinated dance: resorption to clear old bone, then formation to rebuild it. The cells that do the resorbing are osteoclasts. These large, multinucleated cells attach to the bone surface and create a sealed area where they pump out acid and release enzymes like cathepsin K to dissolve mineral and organic matrix. This creates the resorption pits that pave the way for new bone laid down by osteoblasts. Osteocytes, though crucial, act as sensors and regulators of remodeling within the bone matrix rather than the cells that resorb bone themselves. Chondrocytes are cartilage-forming cells involved in cartilage tissue and development, not in the bone resorption step of adult remodeling. Osteoblasts are the builders, forming new bone after resorption is complete. So the primary cell type for bone resorption during remodeling is osteoclasts.

Bone remodeling involves a coordinated dance: resorption to clear old bone, then formation to rebuild it. The cells that do the resorbing are osteoclasts. These large, multinucleated cells attach to the bone surface and create a sealed area where they pump out acid and release enzymes like cathepsin K to dissolve mineral and organic matrix. This creates the resorption pits that pave the way for new bone laid down by osteoblasts.

Osteocytes, though crucial, act as sensors and regulators of remodeling within the bone matrix rather than the cells that resorb bone themselves. Chondrocytes are cartilage-forming cells involved in cartilage tissue and development, not in the bone resorption step of adult remodeling. Osteoblasts are the builders, forming new bone after resorption is complete.

So the primary cell type for bone resorption during remodeling is osteoclasts.