What connective tissue is matrix hard owing to calcium salts provides lever muscles act on?
The connective tissue that is matrix hard owing to calcium salts and provides lever muscles act on is called bone. Bone is a rigid and specialized connective tissue that forms the skeleton and provides support and protection for various organs and tissues in the body. It consists of a hard and dense matrix composed primarily of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate crystals, which gives bone its characteristic hardness and strength.
Within the matrix, there are living bone cells called osteocytes, which are responsible for maintaining bone structure, regulating bone metabolism, and responding to mechanical stress. Bone is organized into two main types: compact bone and cancellous bone. Compact bone is dense and solid, forming the outer layer of bones, while cancellous bone is made up of a network of trabeculae (thin bone struts) and contains bone marrow inside its cavities.
The hardness of bone is essential for its function as a lever to facilitate muscle action. Muscles attach to bones at specific sites called muscle attachments, where tendons connect muscles to bones. When muscles contract, they pull on the tendons, which in turn exert a force on the bones, causing movement and allowing the body to perform various actions. The hard and rigid structure of bone provides a stable and strong base for muscle action, enabling efficient movement and support for the body.