Final answer:
Michael's osteopetrosis suggests that he has an increased bone density, which is counter to typical bone density loss with age and is in contrast to the decreased bone density found in osteoporosis. The mutation causing osteopetrosis prevents normal bone resorption, resulting in dense but fragile bones.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Michael has osteopetrosis, also known as marble bone disease, this suggests that his bone density is abnormally high. In individuals with osteopetrosis, there's an impairment in the ability to resorb bone due to a mutation in the gene coding for carbonic anhydrase II (CA II), leading to increased bone density since normal bone resorption does not occur. This condition is different from osteoporosis, which is characterized by decreased bone density and an increased risk of fracture, particularly in older adults.
Considering normal bone density peaks around the age of 30 and diminishes with age, as per the graph showing the relationship between age and bone mass, Michael's condition would not follow this trend. Instead, osteopetrosis would cause his bones to remain denser than average throughout life. However, high bone density from osteopetrosis is not beneficial; it can lead to bone fragility due to the abnormal bone structure despite the increased density.
Modern tools like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) can measure bone density and would likely show elevated levels in a person with Michael's condition when compared to the normal population or those with osteoporosis.