Compared with steel, bone is approximately half as strong in resisting compression but as strong as steel in resisting tension. Which statement best captures this property?

Compared with steel, bone is approximately half as strong in resisting compression but as strong as steel in resisting tension. Which statement best captures this property?

• A. Half as strong as steel in resisting compression; as strong as steel in resisting tension
• B. Twice as strong as steel in resisting compression
• C. Less strong than steel in both compression and tension
• D. More strong than steel in both compression and tension

Answer: (A)

Understanding how bone behaves differently under compression and tension reveals why bone is described as stronger in one direction than another. Bone’s mineralized matrix handles compressive loads, but not as well as steel, because the internal structure and possible microcracking under squeeze limit its ability to resist compression. In contrast, the collagen fibers give bone notable toughness and resistance to pulling forces, so its tensile strength is more comparable to steel in this context. Therefore, the statement that best captures this property is that bone is about half as strong as steel in resisting compression but as strong as steel in resisting tension. The other descriptions would imply bone is stronger in compression or stronger in both directions, which doesn’t align with bone’s differing performance in compression versus tension.

Understanding how bone behaves differently under compression and tension reveals why bone is described as stronger in one direction than another. Bone’s mineralized matrix handles compressive loads, but not as well as steel, because the internal structure and possible microcracking under squeeze limit its ability to resist compression. In contrast, the collagen fibers give bone notable toughness and resistance to pulling forces, so its tensile strength is more comparable to steel in this context. Therefore, the statement that best captures this property is that bone is about half as strong as steel in resisting compression but as strong as steel in resisting tension. The other descriptions would imply bone is stronger in compression or stronger in both directions, which doesn’t align with bone’s differing performance in compression versus tension.