FIG. 1.

Natural osteoblast-mediated bone mineralization. (1 and 2) Osteoblast matrix vesicles accumulate calcium and phosphate ions (transitioning from yellow to white) from the cytosol and mitochondria, and are released toward the newly formed collagen matrix (red lines). (3) The released vesicles continue to concentrate calcium and phosphate ions until precipitation occurs, drawing from the ion-rich environment. (4) The newly formed apatite crystals (white crosses) are released into the environment, (5) providing nucleation sites for continued apatite growth. Adapted from Mescher 2013, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.²⁸ Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea