Which bone cell is a mature, inactive osteoblast incorporated in mature bone?

Which bone cell is a mature, inactive osteoblast incorporated in mature bone?

• A. Chondrocyte
• B. Osteoclast
• C. Osteoblast
• D. Osteocyte

Answer: (D)

The main idea is how bone cells transition during bone formation and maintenance. Osteoblasts are the builders that lay down new bone matrix. When some of these cells become surrounded by the mineralized matrix they produce, they become trapped and differentiate into mature osteocytes. Osteocytes reside in lacunae within mature bone and are relatively less active, serving as the maintenance residents who monitor and regulate the surrounding bone matrix. They extend tiny processes through canaliculi to communicate with each other and with osteoblasts and osteoclasts, helping coordinate bone remodeling in response to mechanical stress. Chondrocytes are cartilage cells, not bone-residing cells. Osteoclasts are the bone-resorbing cells that break down bone during remodeling. Osteoblasts themselves are the active builders; they’re not the mature, embedded form described here. So the mature, inactive osteoblast incorporated in mature bone is an osteocyte.

The main idea is how bone cells transition during bone formation and maintenance. Osteoblasts are the builders that lay down new bone matrix. When some of these cells become surrounded by the mineralized matrix they produce, they become trapped and differentiate into mature osteocytes. Osteocytes reside in lacunae within mature bone and are relatively less active, serving as the maintenance residents who monitor and regulate the surrounding bone matrix. They extend tiny processes through canaliculi to communicate with each other and with osteoblasts and osteoclasts, helping coordinate bone remodeling in response to mechanical stress.

Chondrocytes are cartilage cells, not bone-residing cells. Osteoclasts are the bone-resorbing cells that break down bone during remodeling. Osteoblasts themselves are the active builders; they’re not the mature, embedded form described here. So the mature, inactive osteoblast incorporated in mature bone is an osteocyte.