Final answer:
The correct answer is option d. osteoclasts.Osteoclasts are the cells responsible for bone resorption. They secrete substances that break down the bone matrix, releasing minerals like calcium into the blood, crucial for body mineral balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
These bone cells are primarily responsible for the resorption of bone tissue. Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that break down bone by secreting acidic substances and lysosomal enzymes. These substances dissolve the mineralized matrix and release minerals, such as calcium, into the bloodstream. This process is crucial for maintaining the body's mineral balance and for the continuous remodeling of bone.
In contrast, osteoblasts are the cells that create new bone tissue, osteocytes maintain the bone matrix, and osteoprogenitor cells are stem cells that can differentiate into osteoblasts. Therefore, patients with low calcium levels could have an issue with the functioning of osteoclasts, affecting the regulation of calcium concentrations in body fluids.