• Question: what are bones made out of

    Asked by volly1 to Ross, Hussain on 16 Nov 2015. This question was also asked by ZTV123, Sassy Sophie.
    • Photo: Hussain Jaffery

      Hussain Jaffery answered on 16 Nov 2015:

      Bones are made of protein called collagen, which cells make and release into the environment. Collagen proteins naturally bundle together, forming massive girders or beams. Calcium and phosphorus then fill in the spaced in between the proteins, forming a crystal called hydroxyapatite. Together these two crucial components make bone a super-strong ‘composite’ material, which means its mad of more than just one material.

      Bones cells, including osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes all make, reshape, and live in the bone, respectively.

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