Which of the following results in osteoporosis?
A. An increase in osteocyte activity while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels.
B. A decline in osteoclast activity while osteoblast activity continues at expected levels.
C. An increase in osteocyte activity while osteoblast activity reduces.
D. A decline in osteoblast activity while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels.
A decline in osteoblast activity while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels results in osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance between the functioning of osteoclast and osteoblast cells.
Osteoblasts are responsible for forming new bone, while osteoclasts break down old bone.
If osteoblast activity declines while osteoclast activity continues at expected levels, this means that more bone is being broken down than is being formed, leading to a loss of bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Choice A is incorrect because an increase in osteocyte activity would not result in osteoporosis.
Osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the mineral concentration of the bone matrix.
Choice B is incorrect because a decline in osteoclast activity would not result in osteoporosis.
Osteoclasts break down old bone, so a decline in their activity would mean that less bone is being broken down.
Choice C is incorrect because an increase in osteocyte activity would not result in osteoporosis.
As mentioned earlier, osteocytes are mature bone cells that maintain the mineral concentration of the bone matrix.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.