Final answer:
The kidneys play a significant role in the synthesis of active vitamin D, primarily in regulating calcium homeostasis, which involves increasing the absorption of calcium necessary for bone health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kidneys have a critical role in the synthesis of active vitamin D, which is essential for calcium homeostasis and bone health. Specifically, the kidneys convert calcidiol to calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D. This process is crucial because calcitriol helps regulate calcium levels by increasing the absorption of calcium from the gut, reabsorption in the kidneys, and, along with parathyroid hormone, influences the release of calcium from the bones. As such, the correct answer to the student's question is that the kidneys will:
b) Have a role in the homeostasis of calcium.
While the kidneys also produce erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the production of red blood cells, they do not directly aid in the production of antibodies, synthesize vitamins C and E, or regulate the development and growth of bone cells apart from their role in calcium regulation.