logo
AAT Bioquest

Why can't osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts undergo mitosis?

Posted June 17, 2024


Answer

Mitosis is a process by which a single parent cell replicates into two daughter cells. During the process of mitosis the genetic material is evenly distributed so that the genetic material in each daughter cell is identical to the parent cell. 

Osteoblasts are immature bone-forming cells that differentiate into osteocytes but cannot undergo mitosis. 

Osteocytes are mature bone cells derived from osteoblasts. They are mature bone cells that lie embedded in a mineralized matrix known as the bone matrix. The surrounding bone matrix leaves osteocytes with no room to divide and hence cannot undergo mitosis.  

Osteoclasts are also mature cells derived from macrophages and monocytes.  They are unable to undergo mitosis because of their multi-nucleated nature and their specific function in bone resorption. 

Osteogenic cells are stem cells of the bone and are the only type of bone cells that can undergo mitosis. Also known as osteoprogenitor cells, these cells undergo mitosis and differentiation to give rise to osteoblast cells. Once differentiated, these cells lose their ability to undergo mitosis

Additional resources

An Overview of Bone Cells and their Regulating Factors of Differentiation

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

ReadiUse™ Stayright™ Purple *HRP Chromogen Premixed with Hydrogen Peroxide*