Final answer:
Greenstick fractures are common in children due to their bones containing larger quantities of collagen which provides flexibility and prevents complete breaks. Unlike adult bones, children's bones can bend and crack on one side, similar to a green stick when bent too far.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greenstick fractures most commonly occur in children because their bones contain larger quantities of collagen. Collagen gives bones flexibility, which makes them less likely to break completely compared to adult bones, which contain less collagen. Bones in children are more pliable, so under bending stress, they might bend and crack on one side (like a green stick), rather than break into two pieces.
Bones have the ability to heal from fractures as osteoblasts form new bone. The healing process involves swelling and soreness at first, followed by the migration of bone cells to the site of the break, beginning the bone rebuilding process. However, children's bones will not become significantly weaker or abnormally shaped solely because of a greenstick fracture; their bones will heal and continue to develop normally.