Final answer:
Osteoblasts are the cells that create bone from soft cartilage during endochondral ossification. They originate from osteoprogenitor cells and eventually become osteocytes that maintain bone tissue. Osteoclasts, on the other hand, are involved in bone resorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells that create bone from soft cartilage are called osteoblasts. During the process of bone formation, specifically endochondral ossification, cartilage is gradually replaced by bone material. Osteoblasts are responsible for synthesizing and secreting the organic and inorganic components of the bone matrix, leading to the formation of new bone tissue. As osteoblasts secrete these components, they become trapped within the matrix and differentiate into another type of bone cell called osteocytes, which maintain the bone tissue.
Osteoprogenitor cells are another essential cell type involved in bone development, as they provide the precursors to osteoblasts. These stem cells divide to produce daughter cells that then differentiate into osteoblasts, particularly crucial during the healing of fractures. In contrast, osteoclasts are involved in the resorption of bone tissue, removing old or damaged bone to allow for growth and remodeling.