How are osteocytes different from other cells?

How are osteocytes different from other cells?

OSTEOCYTES are cells inside the bone. They also come from osteoblasts. Some of the osteoblasts turn into osteocytes while the new bone is being formed, and the osteocytes then get surrounded by new bone. They are not isolated, however, because they send out long branches that connect to the other osteocytes.

What is special about osteocyte?

Osteocytes are the most abundant type of cell in mature bone tissue. They also are long-lived, surviving as long as the bone they occupy exists. The osteocyte is capable of bone deposition and resorption. The osteocyte may aid in calcium removal from bone when the body’s calcium level drops too low.

What is the shape of osteocytes?

A mature osteocyte is defined as a cell surrounded by mineralized bone, and is described as a stellate or star-shaped cell with a large number of slender, cytoplasmic processes radiating in all directions, but generally perpendicular to the bone surface.

Is osteocyte a bone cell?

Osteocytes are the longest living bone cell, making up 90–95% of cells in bone tissue in contrast to osteoclasts and osteoblasts making up ~5% (40). Osteocytes form when osteoblasts become buried in the mineral matrix of bone and develop distinct features.

How are Osteoprogenitor cells osteoblast and osteocytes related?

Osteoprogenitor cells are the ‘stem’ cells of bone, and are the source of new osteoblasts. Osteoblasts, lining the surface of bone, secrete collagen and the organic matrix of bone (osteoid), which becomes calcified soon after it has been deposited. As they become trapped in the organic matrix, they become osteocytes.

What is the function of Osteon?

It provides protection and strength to bones. Compact bone tissue consists of units called osteons or Haversian systems. Osteons are cylindrical structures that contain a mineral matrix and living osteocytes connected by canaliculi, which transport blood. They are aligned parallel to the long axis of the bone.

What do osteogenic cells do?

Osteogenic cells are the only bone cells that divide. Osteogenic cells differentiate and develop into osteoblasts which, in turn, are responsible for forming new bones. There is a continual balance between osteoblasts generating new bone and osteoclasts breaking down bone.

Is an Osteocyte a mature bone cell?

Osteoblasts are bone-forming cell, osteoclasts resorb or break down bone, and osteocytes are mature bone cells. An equilibrium between osteoblasts and osteoclasts maintains bone tissue.

Do osteocytes have lysosomes?

Under the electron microscope, there were a few lysosomes, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, and the Golgi complex was also underdeveloped. Therefore, osteocytes form an extensive connecting syncytium network via small cytoplasmic/dendritic processes in canaliculi.

What is the size of a bone cell?

Structure. Osteocytes have a stellate shape, approximately 7 micrometers deep and wide by 15 micrometers in length. The cell body varies in size from 5-20 micrometers in diameter and contain 40-60 cell processes per cell, with a cell to cell distance between 20-30 micrometers.

What are osteogenic cells?

Osteoprogenitor cells, also known as osteogenic cells, are stem cells located in the bone that play a prodigal role in bone repair and growth. These cells are the precursors to the more specialized bone cells (osteocytes and osteoblasts) and reside in the bone marrow.

How is the lacuna different from the Canaliculus?

The lacuna houses the osteocyte, while the canaliculus houses the cytoplasmic extension of the osteocyte.

What is the size of an osteocyte?

Osteocytes have such a stellate form with a depth of 7 micrometres, a width of 15 micrometres, and a length of 15 micrometres The cell body has a diameter of 5-20 micrometres and contains 40-60 cellular functions each cell, with a cell-to-cell distance of approximately 20-30 micrometres.

How do osteocytes stay in contact with each other?

Osteocytes remain in contact with each other and with cells on the bone surface via gap junction-coupled cell processes passing through the matrix via small channels, the canaliculi, that connect the cell body-containing lacunae with each other and with the outside world.

What organelles are found in osteocytes?

Because osteocytes are cells, they contain the same organelles as many other cells in our body, such as nuclei, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. Remember that osteocytes are housed within lacunae and have cytoplasmic extensions that travel through canaliculi.

What is the difference between osteocytes and osteoblasts?

Osteoblasts/osteocytes develop in mesenchyme. In mature bones, osteocytes and their processes reside inside spaces called lacunae (Latin for a pit) and canaliculi, respectively. Osteocytes are simply osteoblasts trapped in the matrix that they secrete.