Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Bone Remodeling

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...

Bone Remodeling and Repair

Bone Remodeling and Repair

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...

Genetic Variation

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...

X-linked Traits

X-linked Traits

In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.

X-linked Traits

X-linked Traits

In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Quantitative Genetic Analysis of Baboon Facial Variation Challenges a Classic Papionin Trait.

Integrative organismal biology (Oxford, England)·2026

Same author

Nanostructural changes in bone quality in a mouse model of chronic kidney disease and treatment with calcitonin.

Bone reports·2025

Same author

Systemic inhibition or global deletion of CaMKK2 protects against post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage·2021

Same author

The contribution of global aviation to anthropogenic climate forcing for 2000 to 2018.

Atmospheric environment (Oxford, England : 1994)·2020

Same author

Parathyroid suppression therapy normalizes chronic kidney disease-induced elevations in cortical bone vascular perfusion: a pilot study.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA·2019

Same author

Effects of treadmill running in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

Biochemistry and biophysics reports·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

Published on: November 4, 2025

Intracortical bone remodeling variation shows strong genetic effects.

L M Havill¹, M R Allen, J A K Harris

¹Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78227, USA, Lorena@TxBiomedGenetics.org.

Calcified Tissue International

|August 28, 2013

Summary

Genes significantly influence bone

More Related Videos

Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography

Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography

Published on: January 17, 2025

Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Published on: July 21, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

Published on: November 4, 2025

Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography

Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography

Published on: January 17, 2025

Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Published on: July 21, 2023

Area of Science:

Bone biology
Genetics
Biomechanics

Background:

Intracortical microstructure is crucial for bone's mechanical integrity and fracture resistance.
Genetic factors influencing bone remodeling may impact fracture risk.
Understanding the genetic basis of intracortical variation is key to assessing fracture susceptibility.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify the heritability of intracortical microstructural traits in a baboon model.
To determine the extent to which population-level variation in bone microstructure is genetically determined.
To link genetic influences on microstructure to potential mechanisms underlying fracture risk.

Main Methods:

Analysis of intracortical microstructural properties (osteon number, area, density, etc.) in baboon femurs (n=101).
Utilized a variance decomposition approach to estimate the contribution of additive genetic effects (heritability).
Accounted for significant effects of age and sex on microstructural traits.

Main Results:

Age and sex explained 9-21% of the variation in intracortical properties.
Significant heritability was found for osteon area (h²=0.79), percent osteonal bone (h²=0.82), and wall thickness (h²=0.61) after accounting for age and sex.
Additive genetic effects accounted for 61-82% of residual variation, representing 48-75% of total phenotypic variance.

Conclusions:

Population-level variation in intracortical bone microstructure is substantially influenced by genetic factors.
Genetic control over microstructural traits provides a mechanism linking genetic variation to bone fracture risk.
These findings highlight the importance of genetic predisposition in bone mechanical properties and skeletal health.