Final answer:
Osteoporosis affects bones due to an imbalance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. It leads to weak and brittle bones that can fracture easily. Factors include genetic and environmental influences, dietary deficiencies, and lifestyle choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones. It occurs when there is an imbalance between bone resorption (breakdown) and bone formation, a process that is part of normal bone remodeling. This imbalance is largely due to the increased activity of osteoclasts (the cells responsible for bone resorption) over osteoblasts (the cells that form new bone), making bones weak and brittle.
Histological features of osteoporosis include a reduction in the thickness of compact bone and a decrease in the number and size of trabeculae in cancellous bone
Factors Contributing to Osteoporosis:
- Genetic and environmental factors
- Poor diet in calcium and vitamin D
- Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise
- Age-related hormonal changes