Final answer:
An osteon, or Haversian system, is the fundamental structural unit of compact bone, crucial for the metabolism of bone cells by maintaining a nutrient and waste exchange network via blood vessels and nerves.
Step-by-step explanation:
An osteon, also called the Haversian system, allows for the effective metabolism of bone cells by providing a network of blood vessels and nerves essential for nutrient delivery and waste removal.
The osteoblasts are the builders of bone tissue; they produce the matrix that eventually becomes mineralized. Once the osteoblasts are surrounded by bone matrix, they differentiate into osteocytes, which are the primary cells in mature bone and maintain the bone tissue. Osteocytes reside in spaces called lacunae, which are interconnected by tiny channels known as canaliculi. These canaliculi facilitate the exchange of nutrients and waste between osteocytes and the blood supply within the central (Haversian) canal.
The osteon's structure ensures that all bone cells are close to the blood supply, enabling them to receive the nutrients they need and to remove metabolic waste efficiently. This is crucial because bone is a living tissue that requires a constant supply of nutrients to maintain strength and integrity.