Which zone is named for enlargement of cartilage cells?

Which zone is named for enlargement of cartilage cells?

• A. Calcification Zone
• B. Hypertrophic Zone
• C. Ossification Zone
• D. Proliferation Zone

Answer: (B)

The growth plate zone described is where cartilage cells grow larger, a process called hypertrophy. In this region, chondrocytes increase in size, which helps push the expanding bone ends apart and sets up the next stage where the surrounding matrix begins to calcify and is replaced by bone. This enlargement is what gives the hypertrophic zone its name. The other zones involve different activities: proliferation is rapid cell division forming columns, calcification is when the matrix calcifies, and ossification is the invasion of bone-forming cells to replace cartilage with bone. So the zone named for enlargement of cartilage cells is the hypertrophic zone.

The growth plate zone described is where cartilage cells grow larger, a process called hypertrophy. In this region, chondrocytes increase in size, which helps push the expanding bone ends apart and sets up the next stage where the surrounding matrix begins to calcify and is replaced by bone. This enlargement is what gives the hypertrophic zone its name. The other zones involve different activities: proliferation is rapid cell division forming columns, calcification is when the matrix calcifies, and ossification is the invasion of bone-forming cells to replace cartilage with bone. So the zone named for enlargement of cartilage cells is the hypertrophic zone.