What is the primary function of calcitonin?

What is the primary function of calcitonin?

• A. Increase calcium absorption
• B. Decrease blood calcium levels
• C. Stimulate red blood cell production
• D. Enhance iron absorption

Answer: (B)

Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, and its primary function is to help regulate calcium levels in the blood. Specifically, calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone and releasing calcium into the bloodstream. This process enhances the deposition of calcium into the bones, reducing the amount of calcium circulating in the blood. By decreasing blood calcium levels, calcitonin acts as a counter-regulatory hormone to parathyroid hormone (PTH), which tends to raise blood calcium levels. This balance is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, allowing the body to manage calcium for essential functions such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and blood clotting effectively. The other options pertain to different functions not primarily related to calcitonin. For instance, increasing calcium absorption typically refers to the role of vitamin D. Stimulating red blood cell production is primarily regulated by erythropoietin, and enhancing iron absorption involves other factors like dietary components and hormones that influence iron metabolism. Therefore, the role of calcitonin is distinctly focused on reducing blood calcium levels.

Calcitonin is a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, and its primary function is to help regulate calcium levels in the blood. Specifically, calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone and releasing calcium into the bloodstream. This process enhances the deposition of calcium into the bones, reducing the amount of calcium circulating in the blood.

By decreasing blood calcium levels, calcitonin acts as a counter-regulatory hormone to parathyroid hormone (PTH), which tends to raise blood calcium levels. This balance is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, allowing the body to manage calcium for essential functions such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and blood clotting effectively.

The other options pertain to different functions not primarily related to calcitonin. For instance, increasing calcium absorption typically refers to the role of vitamin D. Stimulating red blood cell production is primarily regulated by erythropoietin, and enhancing iron absorption involves other factors like dietary components and hormones that influence iron metabolism. Therefore, the role of calcitonin is distinctly focused on reducing blood calcium levels.