Orthopaedic Surgery/Biophysics/Bone

Life forms with low body mass can exploit varied niches and evade predators. The bones provide levors to affect 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 composit stucture is strong and light it's performance as a biomaterial is critically dependant on ongoing remodeling of microtrauma sustained in the course of daily mechanical stresses.