What type of tissue makes up bones?

Bones are classified as a type of connective tissue. This is because connective tissue is responsible for supporting, binding together, and protecting tissues and organs of the body. Bone specifically provides structural support, protects vital organs, serves as an anchor for muscles, and is a reservoir for minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.

Bone tissue consists of a matrix that contains collagen fibers and mineral deposits, primarily hydroxyapatite, which gives bones their rigidity and strength. The cells within bone tissue, such as osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts, work together to maintain bone structure and density.

Other tissue types do not serve the same functions as connective tissue in the context of bones. For instance, epithelial tissue primarily covers surfaces and is involved in absorption and secretion, while nervous tissue is composed of neurons and is responsible for transmitting signals in the body. Muscle tissue is involved in movement and contraction, which is also not related to the structural functions of bone. Hence, the classification of bone as connective tissue is definitive and critical for understanding its role in the body.