In comparing osteoinduction with osteoconduction, which statement is accurate?

In comparing osteoinduction with osteoconduction, which statement is accurate?

• A. Osteoconduction involves recruitment of progenitor cells
• B. Osteoinduction provides a scaffold for bone growth
• C. Osteoinduction involves recruitment of progenitor cells to become osteoblasts
• D. Osteoconduction and osteoinduction are the same process

Answer: (C)

Osteoinduction is about signaling that brings in progenitor cells and tells them to become bone-forming cells. It recruits mesenchymal progenitor cells and directs their differentiation into osteoblasts, often via growth factors like BMPs. That’s why the statement describing osteoinduction as involving recruitment of progenitor cells to become osteoblasts is correct. Osteoconduction, on the other hand, provides a physical scaffold that bone can grow on. It supports ingrowth from adjacent bone but doesn’t by itself recruit or differentiate progenitor cells. The two processes are distinct, which is why they’re not the same thing.

Osteoinduction is about signaling that brings in progenitor cells and tells them to become bone-forming cells. It recruits mesenchymal progenitor cells and directs their differentiation into osteoblasts, often via growth factors like BMPs. That’s why the statement describing osteoinduction as involving recruitment of progenitor cells to become osteoblasts is correct.

Osteoconduction, on the other hand, provides a physical scaffold that bone can grow on. It supports ingrowth from adjacent bone but doesn’t by itself recruit or differentiate progenitor cells. The two processes are distinct, which is why they’re not the same thing.