Final answer:
False. Osteocytes regulate mineral balance within bones but do not release histamine and heparin. These substances are related to the immune system, not the functions of osteocytes.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Osteocytes release histamine and heparin. This statement is false. Osteocytes do not release histamine or heparin; instead, these substances are commonly associated with immune system responses. Osteocytes are bone cells responsible for maintaining bone tissue; their primary function is to regulate mineral homeostasis in bones by directing the uptake of minerals from the blood and the release of minerals back into the circulation as needed.
Osteocytes originate from osteoblasts, which are bone-forming cells. Osteoblasts make a protein mixture composed mostly of collagen that creates the organic part of the bone matrix. When osteoblasts become trapped within the matrix they have secreted, they differentiate into osteocytes. These cells are connected by long processes that reside in tiny channels called canaliculi, allowing for the exchange of nutrients and wastes to maintain bone tissue.
In summary, osteocytes help to regulate the formation and breakdown of bone tissue but do not release histamine and heparin. It's important to distinguish between different types of bone cells: osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts, as each has different functions within the bone.