Paper Example on Compact vs. Spongy Bone: A Comparison of Appearance and Structure

How does spongy bone differ from compact bone? What differences did you see in the appearance of the spongy bone and compact bone? What color was the spongy bone?

Spongy bone is a type of bones located at the ends of the bones, also known as epiphyses. Its appearance is that of small open spicules and bars. This differs from compact bone since it is mostly found in the shaft middle of bone structures, also known as diaphysis. Compact bone is also denser compared to the spongy bone.

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How does cartilage differ from bone? How did each one feel when pierced with the knife?

Both of these bones contain cartilage, a smooth, elastic tissue that mainly functions as a connective tissue that smoothens joint motions by covering the joint bones and insulating them against shock. Spongy bone, also called cancellous bone, is a light and has less density compared to compact bone. It is made up of plates called trabeculae that have red bone marrow.

The compact bone has osteons that are carefully packed and make up a central canal that is surrounded by concentric rings of these cells called lamellae. Between these concentric rings lie the osteocytes or bone cells. These spaces where the osteocytes are located is called lacunae (National Cancer Institute, 2020). The hard matrix, which makes up the bulk of the compact bone, goes into small channels formed in the lacunae. In addition to this, the canals in the osteon system allow for the passage of blood vessels that run along the axis of the bone.

The primary difference between bone and cartilages goes down to their basic forms. Bone is hard, tough, and not elastic, while cartilage is smooth, soft, and elastic. It is easier to cut cartilage with a knife compared to the bone because of the differences in hardness. Bones get nutrients from vitamin C and is essential for the hydroxylation of specific amino acids such as lysine and proline during the synthesis of collagen.

How did the periosteum and endosteum differ in thickness?

The periosteum is the outer bone covering, and it functions to separate the bone from the tissue surrounding it while also helping in the growth and repair of the bone itself. The endosteum is the inner cellular layer that lines the cavity of the bone. It is made up of osteoprogenitor cells and is thicker compared to the periosteum. The periosteum also creates a way for the nerves to access the bone tissue. If incredibly pulled, it is most likely to cause a breakage in the bone tissue. The endosteum is very active during the process of bone synthesis and repair. The bone marrow in the long bones in red owing to the fact that this is the location of the synthesis of erythrocytes.

What type of cartilage makes up the articular cartilage?

The thin layer of cartilage covering the end of the bone is called articular cartilage and is made up of type II collagen fibers. Articular cartilage is very well organized and does not have blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. It is also not innervated and exists under intense biomechanical surroundings (Sophia Fox, Bedi & Rodeo, 2009). Articular cartilage spans about 4mm thick it belongs to group cartilage called the hyaline cartilage found in bones at joints, nose, and respiratory tract.

What color was the tendon? What substance gives it strength?

The color of the tendon in the leg bone is white because tendons are naturally white and are located at the ends of muscles that are linked to the bones. Tendons get their toughness from collagen.

How did the raw bone differ in appearance from the baked bone in the other experiment?

Raw bones are hard to break compared to baked bones, which are brittle. Bones are made from calcium, among other substances, such as osteocytes. Chemicals such as vinegar (acetic acid) erode calcium from bones making the bones soft and flexible. Trying to bend a bone that has been soaked in vinegar will result in it bending easily.

Baking a bone burns up the organic composition of the bone so that it becomes brittle. The extracellular matrix in the bone dries up, and even dropping the bone could result in shattering into several shards.

What material is responsible for hardness of bone? What material accounts for flexibility of bone?

Collagen is a bone component that facilitates its growth and repair. When tendons and ligaments get damaged or worn due to repeated movements and aging, collagen positively helps in their restoration. This is the main reason why patients with osteoporosis have to be given collagen supplements to restore bones. Individuals who suffer from arthritis have osteoporosis, and their bones are brittle due to calcium erosion.

From this experiment, we can conclude calcium is responsible for the hardness of the bone while collagen is responsible for the flexibility.

Which bone would resemble the bones of a child with rickets?

A child with rickets has bow-shaped legs or knock-knees. A deficiency in calcium minerals causes this. The bone that has been soaked in vinegar would be one that a child with rickets will have. Due to reduced hardness, the bones cannot support the weight of the child, and they begin to bend. Rickets is also caused by the deficiency of Vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D helps the body to utilize calcium and phosphate ions, which are essential in building strong and hard bone structures.

References

National Cancer Institute (2020). Structure of the bone tissue. National Institute of Health. https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/skeletal/tissue.html#:~:text=Spongy%20(cancellous)%20bone%20is%20lighter,to%20receive%20their%20blood%20supply.

Sophia Fox, A. J., Bedi, A., & Rodeo, S. A. (2009). The basic science of articular cartilage: structure, composition, and function. Sports Health, 1(6), 461–468.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738109350438