Question

6 the presence of an epiphyseal plate indicates that
a the bone is lengthening.
b the bone is increasing in diameter.
c the bone has completed ossification.
d the bone is no longer lengthening.

Explanation:

The epiphyseal plate is a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone. It is responsible for the longitudinal growth of long bones. As long as the epiphyseal plate remains, the bone can continue to lengthen. When the epiphyseal plate ossifies (becomes bone), the bone stops lengthening. Option B (bone increasing in diameter) is due to appositional growth (activity of osteoblasts in the periosteum). Option C (bone has completed ossification) would mean the epiphyseal plate is gone (replaced by an epiphyseal line). Option D (bone no longer lengthening) is the opposite of what the presence of the epiphyseal plate indicates.

Answer:

A. the bone is lengthening