Question

osteoclast cells

What type of organism is the cell found in? Where in the organism is the cell found? What is its function or duty? How does it contribute to the ability of the organism to maintain homeostasis? Describe the cell’s characteristics. Are there organelles? Does the cell contain components that are unique to that type of cell? Can the cell reproduce, if so, how does this occur? Is this type of cell found in other organisms?

Answer 1

These cells are found in humans. The osteoclasts consist of five nuclei and are around 150-200 µm in size. Osteoclasts cells are multinucleated cells which is a bone cell type, that is responsible in breaking down bone tissues. Osteoclasts would carry out disassembling and digestion of the vertebral skeleton. This process is referred to as bone resorption. This process helps in regulation of the calcium level present in blood.

When osteoclasts that can induce cytokines convert macrophages in to becoming osteoclasts, cells may be around 100µm in diameter. Because of its size, the multinucleated osteoclasts that has been assembled, would be able to transport ions, and possess vesicular capabilities of transport.

Osteoclasts are present in the pits of bone surface and these pits are referred to as resorption bays. Osteoclasts have a cytoplasm, that has a foamy appearance,. This is due to the presence of a high concentration of vacuoles and vesicles. These vacuoles are in the form of lysosomes that contain acid phosphatase. The endoplasmic reticulum in osteoclasts is sparse and they have an extensive Golgi complex. Osteoclasts have a specialised cell membrane, that is present at the active resorption site and these have a ruffled border that would facilitate the removal of bone by an increase of the surface area of the cell. This allows for uptake as well as secretion of the compartments of resorption, which is a characteristic feature of a resorbing bone that is active.