1. What design & functional features do connective tissues have in common? What protein forms most of a tendon or ligament? Why are those fibers "wavy"?
2. Describe the differences in design & function of these bone cells: osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts. How does an osteoclast's shape enhance its function? Describe the homeostasis of bone tissue formation & resorption in young adults.
3. Describe the homeostasis loops that regulate plasma calcium, in particular calcitonin & parathyroid hormone (PTH). Why is homeostasis of calcium so important? Diagram the pattern of PTH release with plasma Ca+2, predict the pattern for calcitonin & plasma Ca+2
4. How is active Vitamin D formed? What is Vitamin D derived from? What can you predict about the water solubility of Vitamin D?
5. Globally, where are Vitamin D deficiencies high? Explain why. What are the symptoms of a child suffering from rickets? What causes rickets? What are some historic factors that caused rickets? Today, when might children in the U.S. develop rickets? Explain why.
6. Predict bone density in males vs. females with age (yrs) on the X-axis. Why do women lose bone density faster? Why do women tend to have lower bone density than men?
7. What role do sex hormones & growth hormones have on bone density? What are the 2 uncontrollable risk factors for osteoporosis amongst women? Do men ever develop osteoporosis? Did Vitamin D supplements in older women affect bone density? Predict other dietary or behavioral factors that can affect bone density.