A Characteristic of Osteocytes is That They

Question

A characteristic of osteocytes is that they
A) maintain the daily metabolism of bone tissue
B) are responsible for the formation of matrix
C) undergo mitosis and develop into osteoblasts
D) undergo mitosis and develop into osteoclasts
E) are responsible for the destruction (resorption) of matrix and the release of calcium into the bloodstream

Accepted Answer

Osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the daily metabolism of bone tissue, including the exchange of nutrients and wastes with the blood. They do not form the matrix (osteoblasts do that), nor do they develop into other cell types or destroy the matrix (osteoclasts are responsible for resorption).