Bones are living tissues that respond to the demands placed on them and to the nutrients available to the body. This lesson explains how mechanical stress from exercise supports bone tissue and how key nutrients contribute to bone strength.
Bone tissue changes in response to the forces it experiences. During activities such as walking, running, and resistance training, muscles pull on bones and weight-bearing forces load the skeleton. These stresses encourage the deposition of mineral salts and collagen fibers, helping bones maintain or increase their strength.
All flashcards
How does mechanical stress affect bone?
Appropriate mechanical stress encourages deposition of mineral salts and collagen fibers. Reduced stress can contribute to their loss and to weaker bone.
What is bone remodeling?
Bone remodeling is the ongoing adjustment and renewal of bone tissue in response to forces and other demands on the skeleton.
Why are calcium and vitamin D both important?
Calcium is a key mineral building block of bone, and vitamin D is needed for calcium to be absorbed from the small intestine.
What role does fluoride play in bone?
Fluoride can become part of or enter spaces in hydroxyapatite crystals, helping stabilize and strengthen bone mineral.
How may omega-3 fatty acids support bone formation?
They reduce inflammation, which may otherwise interfere with osteoblast function and production of new osseous tissue.
Quiz questions
How does growth hormone support lengthening of long bones?Answer: It stimulates chondrocyte proliferation in the epiphyseal plates.
What is the main effect of calcitriol on mineral absorption?Answer: It promotes absorption of calcium and phosphate from the digestive tract.
How does parathyroid hormone generally raise blood calcium?Answer: It promotes bone resorption, kidney calcium reabsorption, and vitamin D synthesis.
How does calcitonin generally lower blood calcium?Answer: It inhibits osteoclast activity and encourages calcium uptake by bones.
Which feature is associated with Paget's disease rather than being characteristic of osteoporosis?Answer: Disorganized new bone formation and elevated blood alkaline phosphatase.
Based on Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.