A Patient with Osteoporosis Would...

[chickensoupdr]

---

Members do not see this ad.

A question from the Barron's MCAT book asks what a patient with osteoporosis would have...
A. High osteoclast activity and high osteoblast activity
B. High osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity
C. Low osteoclast activity and high osteoblast activity
D. Low osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity


I don't really know how to approach these types of questions. Is the question asking for the characteristics of osteoporosis (high osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity) OR how the patient's body would RESPOND to osteoporosis by lowering osteoclast activity and increasing osteoblast activity..?

From my experience, different books approach it differently. Some books seem to ask for the characteristics, while others seem to ask what would the response be (to maintain "homeostasis").


Any clarifications/opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Temperature101]

A question from the Barron's MCAT book asks what a patient with osteoporosis would have...
A. High osteoclast activity and high osteoblast activity
B. High osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity
C. Low osteoclast activity and high osteoblast activity
D. Low osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity


I don't really know how to approach these types of questions. Is the question asking for the characteristics of osteoporosis (high osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity) OR how the patient's body would RESPOND to osteoporosis by lowering osteoclast activity and increasing osteoblast activity..?

From my experience, different books approach it differently. Some books seem to ask for the characteristics, while others seem to ask what would the response be (to maintain "homeostasis").


Any clarifications/opinions would be greatly appreciated!

I think they are asking what make this particualr patient has that condition, which is high osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity...

 

[JoocyBis]

A question from the Barron's MCAT book asks what a patient with osteoporosis would have...
A. High osteoclast activity and high osteoblast activity
B. High osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity
C. Low osteoclast activity and high osteoblast activity
D. Low osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity


I don't really know how to approach these types of questions. Is the question asking for the characteristics of osteoporosis (high osteoclast activity and low osteoblast activity) OR how the patient's body would RESPOND to osteoporosis by lowering osteoclast activity and increasing osteoblast activity..?

From my experience, different books approach it differently. Some books seem to ask for the characteristics, while others seem to ask what would the response be (to maintain "homeostasis").


Any clarifications/opinions would be greatly appreciated!

The answer is high osteoclast, low osteoblast. This is not a question about hormones. The hormone questions are always the second option ("how the patient's body would RESPOND") because hormones work in response to changes and work to maintain homeostasis. If someone had low osteoclast activity/high osteoblast activity, they would not have osteoporosis.

 

[chickensoupdr]

Thanks for clearing that up! Really appreciate it, JoocyBis!