Question

calcium and bone changes with aging

complete each sentence describing life-span changes that occur in the skeletal system.

1. as the body ages, the calcium levels in bone (click to select) and bone material gradually deteriorates.
2. as a result, the skeleton (click to select) ... (click to select) and (click to select) prone to fracture.
3. the ability of fractures to heal revea... alive and functional.

Explanation:

Analyze calcium changes during aging

As the human body ages, osteoblast activity (bone deposition) slows down relative to osteoclast activity (bone resorption). This imbalance leads to a loss of calcium and other minerals from the bone matrix. Therefore, the calcium levels in bone fall, which is a key aspect of Skeletal System Organization and aging.

Determine structural consequences on the skeleton

When bone calcium levels fall and bone material deteriorates, the overall bone mass decreases. This reduction in bone mineral density causes the skeleton to lose strength and structural integrity. Consequently, the skeleton loses height (due to compression of the vertebrae), becomes brittle, and becomes highly more prone to fracture.

Evaluate bone healing capacity in older age

Even though bones undergo age-related deterioration, they remain dynamic, living tissues. When a fracture occurs, the bone is still capable of undergoing the remodeling and repair process (forming a hematoma, fibrocartilaginous callus, bony callus, and remodeling). The fact that fractures can still heal, albeit more slowly, reveals that bone tissue remains active (or alive and functional).

Answer:

Question 1

As the body ages, the calcium levels in bone <blank>fall</blank> and bone material gradually deteriorates.

Question 2

As a result, the skeleton <blank>loses height</blank>, becomes <blank>brittle</blank> and <blank>more</blank> prone to fracture.

Question 3

The ability of fractures to heal reveals that bone tissue is among the most <blank>active</blank> alive and functional.