The organic components of bone provide ______.

• A. flexibility and tensile strength
• B. mineral storage
• C. hardness and resistance to compression
• D. blood cell production

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the composition of bone: Bone is made up of both organic and inorganic components. Organic components include collagen fibers and other proteins, while inorganic components are primarily calcium phosphate crystals.
2. Focus on the role of organic components: Organic components, particularly collagen, provide flexibility and tensile strength to the bone. This allows bones to resist stretching and twisting forces.
3. Differentiate from inorganic components: Inorganic components, such as calcium phosphate, are responsible for the hardness and resistance to compression of bones. This is a separate function from the organic components.
4. Eliminate unrelated options: Mineral storage and blood cell production are functions of bone as a whole, but they are not directly related to the organic components.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'flexibility and tensile strength,' as this is the specific role of the organic components in bone structure.