Question

In vertebrates, cartilage is found in fetal bones, ears, and intervertebral discs, whereas bone is found in the skeleton. What are the similarities between cartilage and bone?

a) Both support the body; bone provides flexibility, cartilage provides rigidity.
b) Both contain collagen; bone is more elastic, cartilage is more rigid.
c) Both undergo mineralization; bone is vascularized, cartilage is avascular.
d) Both arise from mesenchymal cells; bone has more extensive blood supply than cartilage.

Answer 1

Both cartilage and bone provide structural support and arise from mesenchymal cells, contain collagen in their matrix, and undergo mineralization; however, bone is vascularized and cartilage is avascular.

Step-by-step explanation:

The similarities between cartilage and bone in vertebrates can be summarized by acknowledging that both structures provide support to the body and arise from mesenchymal cells. Cartilage, including the hyaline, fibrocartilage, and elastic cartilage, is known for its flexibility and strength due to the collagen fibers and sometimes elastic fibers embedded in a proteoglycan-rich matrix. On the other hand, bone is a hardened structure that provides a rigid framework for the vertebrate body due to its mineralized matrix, majorly composed of hydroxyapatite and collagen, offering both strength due to mineral content and a degree of resilience due to collagen. A vital difference is that bone is vascularized, receiving nutrients directly through blood vessels, whereas cartilage is avascular, relying on diffusion to obtain nutrients. This is why cartilage does not repair as easily as bone tissue.