Question

imagine that you are able to monitor specific cell activity in the body. if you detected a dramatic decrease in osteoclast activity, which of the following characteristics would also be detectable?
multiple choice
increased calcitonin levels in the blood
decreased pth levels in the blood
decreased calcitonin levels in the blood
increased pth levels in the blood

Explanation:

Osteoclasts break down bone, releasing calcium into the blood. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates osteoclast activity. If osteoclast activity decreases, blood calcium levels would drop. The body would respond by increasing PTH levels to try to raise calcium levels (by promoting osteoclast activity, among other mechanisms). Calcitonin has the opposite effect of PTH (it lowers blood calcium by inhibiting osteoclasts). So a decrease in osteoclast activity would not lead to increased calcitonin (since calcitonin's role is to reduce osteoclast activity further when calcium is high). And if osteoclast activity is down (calcium low), PTH should go up, not down.

Answer:

Increased PTH levels in the blood