What are bones made of?
A femur (thigh) bone
Our bones contain certain substances that are vital to our skeleton's healthy growth, function and repair: (roll over the red text to read more detail).
- Collagen- a fibrous protein that gives bones flexibility
- Calcium phosphate- vital to our bones and skeleton because this mineral gives bones their strength (the form of Calcium Phosphate found in bone is known as Hydroxyapatite)
- Growth factors– chemical signals that are vital to bone formation, bone repair and bone remodelling
- Specialized cells
- Osteocytes- are mature bone cells, and make up 90% of the cells in bone. They are actively involved in the routine turnover of bone through mechanosensory mechanisms.
- Osteoblasts- are responsible for the formation of new bone (osteogenesis)
- Osteoclasts- are responsible for breaking down bone, and releasing its stored minerals (osteolysis)
- Trace Elements– such as silicon, fluoride and zinc, essential for the normal growth and development of the human skeleton. Although they represent a very small portion of bones by weight, they play an important role in bone metabolism, remodelling, and repair
