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Related Concept Videos

The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

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Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in...
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The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
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Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
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Structure and Function of Platelets01:18

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The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000...
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Spongy Bone01:09

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All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
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Compact Bone01:27

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Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
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Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue01:23

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Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
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Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis
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Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

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Curved mineral platelets in bone.

H P Schwarcz1, Nadine Nassif2, Viktoria Kovacs Kis3

  • 1School of Earth, Environment and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Acta Biomaterialia
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PubMed
Summary

Bone

Keywords:
ApatiteDevelopable surfaceFoldingIon beam millingStacksTransmission electron microscopy

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Bone is a composite material primarily consisting of collagen fibrils and mineral apatite.
  • The mineral component of bone is known to exist as flat polycrystalline platelets approximately 5 nm thick.
  • These mineral platelets are organized into stacks, but their precise arrangement and contribution to bone's mechanical properties remain areas of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the three-dimensional structure of mineral platelets in bone.
  • To elucidate the relationship between mineral platelet morphology and collagen fibrils.
  • To understand how the observed mineral structures contribute to bone's mechanical strength.

Main Methods:

  • Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was utilized to examine bone microstructure.
  • Analysis focused on the orientation and curvature of mineral platelets relative to collagen fibrils.

Main Results:

  • Bone's mineral apatite platelets are not flat but are curved sheets with radii of curvature ranging from 25 to hundreds of nanometers.
  • These curved platelets form stacks of 2 to over 30 and are oriented parallel to collagen fibril axes.
  • The curvature of mineral platelets allows them to weave around collagen fibrils, enhancing bone's compressive strength.

Conclusions:

  • The mineral component of bone is organized into curved platelets, not flat ones as previously assumed.
  • This novel curved morphology of mineral platelets is crucial for bone's structural integrity and mechanical resilience.
  • Understanding these nanoscale structural features provides new insights into bone biomechanics.