Final answer:
Osteoclasts are the type of cells that break down and assimilate bone, which is critical for bone remodeling and maintaining calcium levels in the blood. They are distinguished from osteoblasts, which form bone, and from osteocytes, which maintain bone tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells responsible for the breakdown and assimilation of bone are called osteoclasts. Contrary to the bone-forming osteoblasts, osteoclasts play a critical role in bone resorption. They are large, multinucleated cells that dissolve bone tissue by secreting acids and enzymes that release calcium and other minerals into the bloodstream. This process is vital for the maintenance of calcium levels in the blood and for the ongoing remodeling of the bone. Osteocytes, in contrast, are mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue, while chondrocytes are involved in the formation and maintenance of cartilage, not bone.
The activity of osteoclasts is a delicate balance with osteoblasts as too much activity by osteoclasts can lead to bone loss, such as seen in conditions like osteoporosis. Osteoclasts originate from monocytes and macrophages, differentiating from the osteogenic cells that give rise to osteoblasts. Understanding the functions of these cells is important in the study of bone health and related diseases.