Final answer:
Osteoclasts are bone cells that break down bone tissue, crucial for bone resorption and remodeling. They release calcium and other minerals into the blood but do not form new bone or cartilage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osteoclasts are a type of bone cell that are responsible for the breakdown of bone tissue. They are multinucleated and play a critical role in bone resorption, which is the dissolution of bone matrix. This process is carried out through the secretion of lysosomal enzymes and hydrogen ions, effectively dissolving the minerals in bone and releasing calcium and other minerals into the blood.
The activity of osteoclasts is important for bone remodeling, which is a dynamic process where new bone tissue is continuously formed and old or damaged bone is removed. This balance between the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts (cells that form new bone) is crucial for maintaining healthy bone structure and mineral homeostasis in the body. Osteoclasts do not form new bone, calcify bone matrix, or form skeletal cartilage.