What type of cells help normalize calcium levels in the body by releasing calcium stores?

Osteoclasts play a crucial role in the regulation of calcium levels in the body. These specialized cells are responsible for the resorption of bone tissue, a process that involves breaking down bone matrix and releasing stored calcium into the bloodstream. This function is vital for maintaining homeostasis of calcium levels, particularly when there is a demand for calcium, such as during periods of low dietary intake or increased physiological needs (like muscle contractions and nerve signaling).

Osteoblasts, while important for bone formation and mineralization, are not directly involved in releasing calcium from bone. Chondrocytes are cells found in cartilage, and osteocytes are mature bone cells embedded within the bone matrix that mainly serve to maintain bone tissue and communicate signals related to bone metabolism. Neither of these cell types is directly responsible for normalizing calcium levels by releasing calcium stores. Thus, the role of osteoclasts in resorbing bone and supplying calcium makes them the correct answer to this question.