Final answer:
Osteoclasts are the cells responsible for the active erosion of bone minerals, functioning in the resorption of bone tissue and releasing minerals into the bloodstream.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells responsible for active erosion of bone minerals are called osteoclasts. These cells are unique because they are multinucleated and originate from monocytes and macrophages, which are types of white blood cells, rather than from osteogenic cells that give rise to osteoblasts. The primary function of osteoclasts is to break down or resorb bone tissue, a vital process for both the upkeep of healthy bones and the regulation of calcium levels in the blood.
This process of bone resorption is essential for the dynamic equilibrium of bone remodeling, which is basically the ongoing balance between the actions of osteoclasts and the bone-forming activities of osteoblasts. While osteoblasts are responsible for new bone formation and mineralization, osteoclasts dissolve minerals in the bone matrix and release them back into the blood, hence participating in mineral homeostasis.