Final answer:
Hormones, such as GH, thyroxine, sex hormones, and calcitriol, play a crucial role in bone growth and maintenance. They promote osteoblastic activity, production of bone matrix, and regulate the conversion of epiphyseal plates to epiphyseal lines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hormones play a crucial role in bone growth and maintenance. Several hormones, including growth hormone (GH), thyroxine, sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone), and calcitriol, are involved in controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. GH triggers chondrocyte proliferation in epiphyseal plates, promoting the increasing length of long bones. It also increases calcium retention, stimulates osteoblastic activity, and enhances bone density. Thyroxine, sex hormones, and calcitriol also promote osteoblastic activity, production of bone matrix, and regulate the conversion of epiphyseal plates to epiphyseal lines.