Final answer:
Dystrophic calcification is the type of calcification that occurs in dying tissues, leading to the deposition of minerals like hydroxyapatite into the collagen matrix, hardening the tissue. It happens in areas of necrosis and differs from normal bone formation processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of calcification that occurs in dying tissues is typically referred to as dystrophic calcification. This involves the deposition of mineral salts, primarily hydroxyapatite, a mineral formed from calcium phosphate, into the collagen fiber matrix that crystallizes and subsequently hardens the tissue. Dystrophic calcification typically occurs in areas of tissue necrosis, where cell death has led to the release of intracellular calcium, promoting mineral deposition.
In dying tissues, such as a callus which is made of dead cells, this calcification process will lead to hardening and potential brittleness of the tissue, as the mineral deposits accumulate within the collagen matrix. This is different from physiological calcification, which occurs as a normal process in the formation of bone. The hydroxyapatite crystals formed during calcification provide a rigid structure that can interfere with the normal flexibility and function of the tissue, leading to potential complications depending on the location and extent of the calcification.