Which component primarily provides tensile strength in bone?

Which component primarily provides tensile strength in bone?

• A. Collagen fibers
• B. Osteocytes
• C. Calcium salts
• D. Chondrocytes

Answer: (A)

The ability of bone to resist pulling forces mainly comes from its collagen fibers in the organic matrix. Collagen provides a flexible, fibrous network that can stretch a bit and absorb energy when tension is applied, giving bone its tensile strength and toughness. The mineral component, calcium salts (like hydroxyapatite), adds stiffness and hardness to bone, helping it resist compression, but it is less effective at handling tension. Osteocytes are the bone cells that maintain tissue, not the source of tensile strength, and chondrocytes are cartilage cells, which are not the main component of bone. So the collagen fibers are the primary contributor to bone’s tensile strength.

The ability of bone to resist pulling forces mainly comes from its collagen fibers in the organic matrix. Collagen provides a flexible, fibrous network that can stretch a bit and absorb energy when tension is applied, giving bone its tensile strength and toughness. The mineral component, calcium salts (like hydroxyapatite), adds stiffness and hardness to bone, helping it resist compression, but it is less effective at handling tension. Osteocytes are the bone cells that maintain tissue, not the source of tensile strength, and chondrocytes are cartilage cells, which are not the main component of bone. So the collagen fibers are the primary contributor to bone’s tensile strength.