Osteoblast

An osteoblast (from the Greek words for "bone" and "to build")is a cell, which produces osteoid. In addition, osteoblasts also secrete an enzyme which facilitates mineral deposition, within osteoid matrices. As osteoblasts age, they become osteocytes. Osteoblasts are differentiated from mesenchymal cells when they are subjected to bone morphogenetic proteins.