Orthopaedic Surgery/Biophysics/Bone
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Biophysics of Bone | ||
<<Ceramics | Ligaments and Tendons>> |
Life forms with low body mass can exploit varied niches and evade predators. The bones provide levers to effect speed and strength while minimizing body mass; the material stiffness of bone derives from the triple helical structure of type 1 collagen encrusted with hydroxyapatite crystals. While this composite structure is strong and light its performance as a biomaterial is critically dependent on ongoing remodeling of microtrauma sustained in the course of daily mechanical stresses.