Bone remodeling is mediated by bone-forming cells called
osteoblasts and bone-degrading cells called osteoclasts. Calcium
and vitamin D are important molecular components that are inputs to
osteoblasts to create new bone mass. In health, there is
homeostasis between the formation of new bone and degradation of
old bone. Draw a diagram of an osteoblast and bone production in
terms of inputs and outputs of the cell. Secondly, describe what
would happen to the levels of extracellular calcium, vitamin D, and
bone production in the case of an osteoblastic disease where these
cells are dying. Assume that osteoclasts (bone-degrading cells)
maintain consistent function in both model systems of health and
disease.