Resorption

Definition

Resorption is the process by which bone tissue is broken down and its minerals and organic components are released into the bloodstream. This biological process plays a critical role in maintaining skeletal health, balancing bone density, and facilitating skeletal growth and remodeling, which is essential for responding to mechanical stress and repairing injuries.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Resorption is primarily carried out by osteoclasts, which are essential for the continuous renewal of bone tissue.
2. During periods of increased physical activity or weight-bearing exercises, bone formation typically exceeds resorption, leading to stronger bones.
3. Hormones such as parathyroid hormone and calcitonin play significant roles in regulating the resorption process and maintaining calcium balance.
4. In conditions like osteoporosis, resorption occurs at an accelerated rate compared to formation, resulting in weakened bones and increased fracture risk.
5. Resorption also enables the body to adapt to changing needs, such as releasing minerals during periods of dietary deficiency or increasing bone density in response to mechanical stress.

Review Questions

• How does resorption influence overall skeletal health and maintenance?
  • Resorption is crucial for skeletal health as it allows for the continuous remodeling of bone tissue. By breaking down old or damaged bone, this process ensures that new bone can be formed to replace it. This balance between resorption and formation helps maintain proper bone density and strength, adapting to changes in physical activity and mechanical load on the skeleton.
• What role do osteoclasts play in the process of resorption, and how does this affect bone remodeling?
  • Osteoclasts are specialized cells that carry out the process of resorption by breaking down mineralized bone matrix. Their activity directly influences bone remodeling since an increase in osteoclast function leads to greater resorption. This can create an imbalance if not matched by sufficient new bone formation, potentially resulting in conditions such as osteoporosis, where bones become fragile and prone to fractures.
• Evaluate the implications of altered resorption rates in diseases such as osteoporosis and how this affects treatment approaches.
  • Altered resorption rates in diseases like osteoporosis can lead to significant health issues due to the loss of bone density. In osteoporosis, excessive resorption by osteoclasts overwhelms the formation process, resulting in weakened bones. Understanding this imbalance is crucial for treatment strategies that often involve medications aimed at inhibiting osteoclast activity or enhancing bone formation, which can help restore healthy skeletal integrity and reduce fracture risk.

Related terms

Osteoclasts: Specialized cells responsible for the resorption of bone tissue by breaking down mineralized bone matrix.

Bone Remodeling: A lifelong process where mature bone tissue is removed from the skeleton (resorption) and new bone tissue is formed (ossification), helping to maintain bone strength and integrity.

Calcium Homeostasis: The regulation of calcium levels in the blood and bones, which is influenced by resorption as it releases calcium back into the bloodstream.