Practice Questions

Correct: Bones store calcium and phosphorus; mineral loss decreases bone density. A: Bones are not endocrine organs. C: Bones do not produce digestive enzymes. D: Glycogen is stored mainly in liver and muscles. Concept: Mineral storage function of bone.

Correct: Chondrocytes occupy lacunae within cartilage. A: Canaliculi connect bone cells. C: Osteons are structural units of compact bone. D: Haversian canals contain blood vessels in bone. Concept: Microscopic structure of cartilage.

Correct: Calcium salts provide rigidity and hardness. A: Elasticity depends mainly on collagen. C: Bones do not contract. D: Bones do not conduct nerve impulses. Concept: Mineral composition of bone.

Correct: Epiphyseal cartilage is gradually replaced by bone during growth. B, C, D: These processes do not occur at growth plates. Concept: Bone growth and ossification.

Correct: Bone is vascular, whereas cartilage is avascular. A: Both contain living cells. B: Both possess extracellular matrices. D: Both contribute to support, although bone is the primary supporting tissue. Concept: Comparison between bone and cartilage.

Correct: Articular cartilage provides a smooth surface for movement and absorbs shock. A: Blood cells form in bone marrow. C: Calcium is mainly stored in bone. D: Tendons attach muscles to bones. Concept: Functions of cartilage.

Correct: Removal of mineral salts leaves collagen fibers, making the bone flexible. A: Brittleness occurs when collagen is removed. C: Organic matrix remains intact. D: The bone can bend after decalcification. Concept: Role of inorganic and organic components of bone.

Correct: Cartilage is avascular, so nutrients diffuse through the matrix, making repair slow. A: Bone is richly vascularized. B: Muscle has a good blood supply. D: Tendons receive more blood than cartilage. Concept: Vascularity and healing.

Correct: Bone hardness results from deposition of calcium phosphate and other mineral salts. A: Collagen provides tensile strength but not hardness alone. C: Elastic fibers increase flexibility. D: Chondrin is characteristic of cartilage. Concept: Composition of bone matrix.

Correct: Hyaline cartilage is flexible and resilient, allowing structures like the nose to bend and regain shape. A: Compact bone is rigid. C: Skeletal muscle contracts rather than providing structural flexibility. D: Dense connective tissue lacks the elasticity of cartilage. Concept: Structure-function relationship of cartilage.