Select all that are true of calcitonin. Check All That Apply Helps decrease blood calcium More effective in children than adults oooo Inhibits osteoclast activity Signals the kidneys to decrease the loss of calcium in the urine.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the parafollicular cells (C-cells) of the thyroid gland. It plays a role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the blood. The following statements about calcitonin are true:
- Helps decrease blood calcium: Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which reduces bone resorption and the release of calcium into the bloodstream.
- Inhibits osteoclast activity: By inhibiting osteoclasts, calcitonin decreases bone resorption, leading to a reduction in blood calcium levels.
- Signals the kidneys to decrease the loss of calcium in the urine: Calcitonin can decrease the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys, leading to increased calcium excretion in the urine.
The statement “More effective in children than adults” is not accurate. While calcitonin does play a role in bone metabolism during childhood, its physiological significance in humans is unclear, and patients with very low or very high levels of calcitonin show no adverse effects.
In summary, calcitonin helps decrease blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity and can influence calcium excretion by the kidneys. However, its role in calcium regulation is less significant in adults compared to children.