Bone Structure (Guided Learning)
Bones consist of living cells embedded in a matrix. The matrix consists of inorganic components, like calcium, and collagen fibers that give bone strength and flexibility.
Transmission electron micrograph shows the collagen fibers within the matrix.
1. Drag the arrow to indicate where the fibers are.
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Compact Bone and Spongy Bone
Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution vary based on the bone’s overall function. Compact bone is dense so that it can withstand compressive forces, while spongy (cancellous) bone has open spaces and supports shifts in weight distribution.
The basic structural unit of the bone is the osteon. The osteon is made of circles called lamellae that contain tiny bones cells called osteocytes. In the center of the osteon is a canal for blood vessels and nerves.
2. Drag the circle below to the osteon on the micrograph.
A closer look at the bone matrix.
3. Compact bone is made of multiple osteons which are composed of concentric circles called:
4. How many can you count on this image?
5. Each osteon has a central canal. What three things are found within this canal?
6. What is the outer layer of bone called?
A closer look at the bone matrix.
7. What is the name of the canal that connects osteons to other osteons?
8. Individual cells within the lamellae are called:
9. The word trabecula is latin for “small beam.” Where are trabeculae located?
compact bone
spongy bone
periosteum
lamellae
osteon
osteocyte
central canal
perforating canal
10. Drag the label to the correct box.
A closer look at the osteon.
Each osteon is made of concentric circles called lamella. Within these circles of individual cells called osteocytes. Osteocytes are located in a space called the lacuna.
11. The osteocytes are connected by tiny channels called:
12. What is in the center of each osteon?
13. What are the rings formed by the osteocytes called?
Types of cells in bone tissue:
Bones are constantly being remodeled.
Osteoblasts are cells that can form new bone. As the osteoblasts builds the bone matrix, it become trapped and becomes an osteocyte.
Osteoclasts are responsible for bone resorption, where bone is dissolved and the calcium released.
Bone is constantly being built and then broken down but these cells.
Osteogenic cells are the only bone cells that divide, they are stem cells that can mature into osteoblasts.
14. Drag the description to the appropriate cell on the diagram.
resorbs bone
forms new bone
mature bone cell
stem cell