Question

37 multiple choice 1 point
select the best term that describes the immature bony tissue that replaces cartilage
osteocyte
osteoclast
osteoblast
collagen

Explanation:

Analyze the question stem

The question asks for the best term describing the "immature bony tissue that replaces cartilage." This refers to the active bone-forming cells that lay down the initial bone matrix during ossification.

Evaluate the medical word roots and suffixes

Using Medical Terminology, we can break down the suffix components of the options:

• -cyte means cell (a mature, fully differentiated cell).
• -clast means to break down or destroy.
• -blast means an embryonic, immature, or forming cell.

Define each option based on skeletal biology

Using Skeletal Anatomy and cellular definitions:

• osteocyte: A mature bone cell maintained within the bone matrix.
• osteoclast: A large multinucleated cell responsible for bone resorption (breaking down bone).
• osteoblast: An immature bone-forming cell that secretes the matrix (osteoid) for bone formation and replaces cartilage templates during development.
• collagen: A structural protein, not a cellular tissue or cell type.

Select the correct term

The term that specifically represents the immature bone-building cell/tissue replacing cartilage is the osteoblast.

Answer:

• osteocyte
• osteoclast
• osteoblast (Correct answer)
• collagen