Bone Components, Essay Example

Introduction

The bone has both an organic component (Collagen) and a mineral component (hydroxyapatite); both are considered essential to the functioning of the bone material.  This paper explores the consequences of either material being absent.

Lack of Collagen in bone material

A lack of collagen in the bone material will result in brittle bones and make them more susceptible to fractures or breaks.  This can be also a genetic disorder leading to brittle bone disease.  Collagen is a protein that is classified into four parts (1,11,111, IV) and is found all over the body including skin, ligaments, bones etc.  The organic protein makes up around 30% of the bone structure. It is the type 1 Collagen that is found in the bones and it is combined with hydroxyapatite that gives it both density and structure.  The resulting lack of the substance can result in “diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta where the bones become brittle and easily fractured” (Oguejiofo, N. 2012).

Lack of hydroxyapatite in bone material

Hydroxyapetite is an important chemical substance in the bone because it is this whichj promotes the healing process to any damaged areas of the bone.  If this chemical was not present then breaks and fractures to the bone would fail to set and heal properly.  This chemical material is widely used for implants  because of the similarity in property to bone and teeth. The bioceramic material is used in the construction of bone grafts. It is the biomaterial and osteoconductive properties of hydroxyapatite that are used to cover the surface areas of implants.  Research results show that the bones are more receptive to this treatment with less chance of complications or rejection setting in. (Falcao, 2003)

References

Falcao, L. (2003). The influence of hydroxyapatite on bone healing in titanium implants. Braz.J.Morphol. Sci Vol 20(1), 25-29.

Oguejiofo, N. (2012, 9 25). What Is the Role of Collagen in the Body? Retrieved from Livestrong.com: http://www.livestrong.com/article/85794-role-collagen-body/