MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Osteoblasts are bone-forming cell, osteoclasts resorb or break down bone, and osteocytes are mature bone cells.

Detailed explanation-2: -Osteoclasts are the cells that degrade (resorb) bone during normal bone remodeling and in pathologic states in which bone resorption is increased.

Detailed explanation-3: -Bone tissue is maintained by bone-forming cells called osteoblasts and cells that break down bone called osteoclasts.

Detailed explanation-4: -Mineralized bone is first broken into fragments; the osteoclast then engulfs the fragments and digests them within cytoplasmic vacuoles. Calcium and phosphorus liberated by the breakdown of the mineralized bone are released into the bloodstream. Unmineralized bone (osteoid) is protected against osteoclastic resorption.

Detailed explanation-5: -Osteoclasts dissolve bone mineral by massive acid secretion and secrete specialized proteinases that degrade the organic matrix, mainly type I collagen, in this acidic milieu.