Osteoblasts are specialized cells responsible for the formation of bone tissue. They produce a matrix of proteins and minerals, which eventually hardens to form bone. These cells play a crucial role in the growth, repair, and remodeling of bones throughout a person's life. When osteoblasts become surrounded by the bone matrix they create, they transform into osteocytes, which help maintain bone health. The activity of osteoblasts is essential for maintaining the balance between bone formation and resorption, a process regulated by hormones and other factors in the body, including osteoclasts and calcium.