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Related Concept Videos

Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
11:47

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Published on: June 9, 2014

Genetic factors in determining bone mass.

D M Smith, W E Nance, K W Kang

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |November 1, 1973
    PubMed
    Summary

    Genetic factors significantly influence bone mass, impacting osteoporosis risk. Twin studies reveal that inherited traits play a crucial role in determining bone density and width throughout life.

    Area of Science:

    • Genetics
    • Osteoporosis Research
    • Twin Studies

    Background:

    • Osteoporosis is a significant public health concern, characterized by low bone mass and increased fracture risk.
    • Understanding the determinants of bone mass is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for osteoporosis.
    • Genetic factors are hypothesized to play a role in the etiology of osteoporosis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the genetic contribution to bone mass and bone width.
    • To determine if genetic factors influence bone mass in both juvenile and adult populations.
    • To explore the potential role of genetic-environmental interactions in bone mass variation.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized the photon absorption technique to measure bone mass and width in the radius of twin pairs.

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    Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

    A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
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  • Analyzed intrapair differences in bone mass and width between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins.
  • Compared variance in bone mass and width between MZ and DZ twins across different age groups.

    • Main Results:

    • Significantly greater variance in intrapair differences for bone mass and width was observed in dizygotic (DZ) twins compared to monozygotic (MZ) twins.
    • These findings indicate substantial genetic determination of bone mass and width.
    • Observed an increase in intrapair differences with age, suggesting a role for genetic-environmental interactions.

    Conclusions:

    • Bone mass and width are significantly influenced by genetic factors.
    • Genetic predisposition, potentially interacting with environmental factors, contributes to the development of osteoporosis.
    • These findings support the inheritance of bone mass as an important factor in osteoporosis etiology.