Question

If the activity of osteoclasts exceeds that of osteoblasts a bone, how will the mass of the bone be affected?

Answer 1

There will be loss of bone mass when activity of osteoclasts exceeds that of osteoblasts. When loss of bone mass continues for a long time, it leads to low bone density and risk of developing osteoporosis.

Explanation:

Bony tissue remains in dynamic equilibrium: osteoblasts are depositing the bony matrix while osteoclasts are removing it. Osteoblasts arise from periosteum (=connective tissue covering of bone) while osteoclasts sit around endosteum (=lining of marrow cavity).

Increased activity of osteoclasts leads to bone thinning disease. The risk increases in postmenopausal women, may be because of lowering of female hormones in system.

Low density bones become weak, and there is an increase of risk of fracturing bones.

https://figures.boundless-cdn.com/21211/large/604-bone-cells.jpe

(https://useruploads.socratic.org/C39RBY21RXaMsJzlQMGC_604-bone-cells.jpe)