Which cells in bone are responsible for bone resorption, and which are responsible for bone formation?

Which cells in bone are responsible for bone resorption, and which are responsible for bone formation?

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

Answer: (A)

In bone remodeling, two distinct cell types drive the two opposite processes: resorption and formation. Osteoclasts are the cells responsible for bone resorption. They attach to the bone surface, create an acidic microenvironment and release proteolytic enzymes to dissolve mineral and organic matrix, effectively breaking down old or damaged bone. Osteoblasts handle bone formation. They synthesize and secrete the unmineralized osteoid and then promote mineralization to build new bone tissue. Some osteoblasts become embedded as osteocytes within the bone matrix, but the primary builders of new bone are the osteoblasts. Chondrocytes form cartilage, not bone, and osteocytes mainly regulate remodeling rather than actively resorbing or forming bone. So, bone resorption is done by osteoclasts, and bone formation by osteoblasts.

In bone remodeling, two distinct cell types drive the two opposite processes: resorption and formation. Osteoclasts are the cells responsible for bone resorption. They attach to the bone surface, create an acidic microenvironment and release proteolytic enzymes to dissolve mineral and organic matrix, effectively breaking down old or damaged bone. Osteoblasts handle bone formation. They synthesize and secrete the unmineralized osteoid and then promote mineralization to build new bone tissue. Some osteoblasts become embedded as osteocytes within the bone matrix, but the primary builders of new bone are the osteoblasts. Chondrocytes form cartilage, not bone, and osteocytes mainly regulate remodeling rather than actively resorbing or forming bone. So, bone resorption is done by osteoclasts, and bone formation by osteoblasts.