BIOL 2401
STUDY POINTS HANDOUT Chapter 6 (KEY)
1.
What is the functional significance of the periosteum?
The periosteum is essential for growth in bone thickness, bone repair, and bone nutrition. It also serves as a
point of attachment for ligaments and tendons.
2.
Which bones of the body develop by intramembranous ossification?
Flat bones of the skull, most facial bones, the mandible (lower jawbone), and the medial part of the clavicle
develop by intramembranous ossification.
3.
Why does it sometimes take months for a fracture to heal?
Healing of bone fractures can take months because calcium and phosphorus deposition is a slow process, and
bone cells generally grow and reproduce slowly.
4. What body functions depend on proper levels of Ca2+?
Heartbeat, respiration, nerve cell functioning, enzyme functioning, and blood clotting all depend on proper
levels of calcium.
5.
If you wanted to develop a drug to lessen the effects of osteoporosis, would you look for a chemical that
inhibits the activity of osteoblasts or that of osteoclasts?
A drug that inhibits the activity of osteoclasts might lessen the effects of osteoporosis, since osteoclasts are
responsible for bone resorption.
6. Critical Thinking: Astronauts in space exercise as part of their daily routine, yet they still have problems with
bone weakness after prolonged stays in space. Why does this happen?
Exercise causes mechanical stress on bones, but because there is effectively zero gravity in space, the pull of
gravity on bones is missing. The lack of stress from gravity results in bone demineralization and weakness.