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Bone is made up of an organic part and an inorganic part.

  • Organic - this is also known as the osteoid. It consists of 90% collagen and other specialised proteins such as osteocalcin and osteonectin. It gives the bone a degree of flexibility.
  • Inorganic - this is made up predominantly of a compound called hydroxyapatite, an inorganic molecule made up of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl groups. It forms salts other ions such as bicarbonate, potassium and sodium ions. This gives the bone its strength and resistance to damage.

Almost every bone in your body is made of the same materials:

  • The outer surface of bone is called the periosteum (say: pare-ee-OS-tee-um). It's a thin, dense membrane that contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the bone.
  • The next layer is made up of compact bone. This part is smooth and very hard. It's the part you see when you look at a skeleton.
  • Within the compact bone are many layers of cancellous(say: KAN-sell-us) bone, which looks a bit like a sponge. Cancellous bone is not quite as hard as compact bone, but it is still very strong.
  • In many bones, the cancellous bone protects the innermost part of the bone, the bone marrow (say: MAIR-oh). Bone marrow is sort of like a thick jelly, and its job is to make blood cells.
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Elza Larkin

Lvl 10
3y ago

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