Osteoclasts resorb bone; osteoblasts build the collagen matrix for mineralization.

Osteoclasts resorb bone; osteoblasts build the collagen matrix for mineralization.

• A. Osteoclasts resorb bone; osteoblasts build the collagen matrix for mineralization.
• B. Osteoblasts resorb bone; osteoclasts build the collagen matrix for mineralization.
• C. Both resorb bone and build matrix equally.
• D. Neither resorb nor build bone.

Answer: (A)

During bone remodeling, osteoclasts resorb bone by attaching to the bone surface and creating an acidic environment plus enzymes that dissolve mineral and degrade organic matrix. Osteoblasts then synthesize osteoid, the collagen-rich organic matrix that will later become mineralized to form new bone. This sequence—bone resorption by osteoclasts followed by collagen matrix formation by osteoblasts for mineralization—matches how bone turnover works. The other options conflict with this well-established process: reversing the roles would assign resorption to osteoblasts or matrix formation to osteoclasts, and saying both do everything equally or neither acts would ignore the distinct, sequential functions in remodeling.

During bone remodeling, osteoclasts resorb bone by attaching to the bone surface and creating an acidic environment plus enzymes that dissolve mineral and degrade organic matrix. Osteoblasts then synthesize osteoid, the collagen-rich organic matrix that will later become mineralized to form new bone. This sequence—bone resorption by osteoclasts followed by collagen matrix formation by osteoblasts for mineralization—matches how bone turnover works. The other options conflict with this well-established process: reversing the roles would assign resorption to osteoblasts or matrix formation to osteoclasts, and saying both do everything equally or neither acts would ignore the distinct, sequential functions in remodeling.