Final answer:
Parathyroid hormone and calcitriol increase the activation of osteoclasts, enhance bone resorption, and promote the reabsorption of calcium by the kidneys, while also increasing the absorption of calcium by the small intestine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combined effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitriol play a critical role in maintaining calcium homeostasis in the body. Parathyroid hormone, released in response to low blood calcium levels, has several effects:
It stimulates the activation of osteoclasts, which leads to bone resorption and the release of calcium into the blood.
It promotes the reabsorption of calcium by the kidney tubules, which reduces the excretion of calcium in the urine.
It increases the activation of vitamin D into calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, which enhances the absorption of calcium by the small intestine.
Calcitriol works to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the digestive tract, complementing the actions of PTH.