Final answer:
The four principal types of bone cells are osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteogenic cells, and osteoclasts, each playing a unique role in bone formation, maintenance, and remodeling.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osteogenic cells are the precursors to osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are responsible for bone formation by synthesizing and secreting the matrix necessary for bone tissue. As osteoblasts become trapped in this matrix, they differentiate into osteocytes, the mature bone cells that help maintain bone tissue. Osteoclasts, which are derived from monocytes and macrophages and can have multiple nuclei, are involved in bone resorption where they break down bone matrix, releasing minerals back into the bloodstream and playing a role in regulating calcium levels as well as bone remodeling.