Bone Biology and Biomechanics
A 55-year-old astronaut returns from 6 months aboard the International Space Station. Despite following a rigorous exercise programme, DEXA scanning reveals significant bone mineral density loss, particularly in the spine and proximal femur. He discusses with his orthopaedic surgeon how mechanical loading maintains bone mass and the cellular mechanisms involved. Regarding osteocyte biology and mechanotransduction:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Osteocytes are the most abundant bone cells (90-95%); they are derived from OSTEOBLASTS that become ...
Osteocytes are the primary MECHANOSENSORS of bone; mechanical loading causes FLUID FLOW through the ...
Osteocytes are derived from HAEMATOPOIETIC stem cells; they are the least abundant bone cells; they ...
Osteocytes respond to mechanical loading by modulating SCLEROSTIN expression: loading DECREASES scle...
Osteocytes also regulate bone resorption by producing RANKL in response to mechanical unloading or m...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option