Final answer:
Osteoclasts are the cells most responsible for bone remodeling, breaking down bone tissue to allow for growth, repair, and adaptation. The correct answer is option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells most responsible for bone remodeling are osteoclasts. These cells are specialized for bone resorption, which is the breakdown of bone tissue. They are large, multinucleated cells found on bone surfaces that release lysosomal enzymes and acids to dissolve the bone matrix, facilitating the release of minerals like calcium into the bloodstream.
This process is crucial for the dynamic nature of bones, allowing for adaptation to stress, repair of micro-damages, and regulation of calcium levels in the body. While osteoblasts are responsible for the formation of new bone by depositing the bone matrix, it is the activity of osteoclasts that enables the reshaping or remodeling of bone.
Osteocytes, which are mature bone cells derived from osteoblasts, also play a supportive role in maintaining bone structure and mineral homeostasis, but they are not directly involved in the remodeling process.