Final answer:
Hypersecretion of GH in old age results in acromegaly, where bones in the face, hands, and feet enlarge due to excess growth hormones, typically caused by a pituitary gland tumor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypersecretion of GH (growth hormone) in old age leads to acromegaly. Growth hormone (GH) plays a critical role in human development, influencing growth and metabolism. In children, underproduction of GH leads to a condition known as pituitary dwarfism, whereas hypersecretion can result in gigantism, characterized by extremely tall stature.
In adults, who have already completed their skeletal growth, excessive production of GH does not affect height but instead causes acromegaly, a condition where there is an enlargement of the bones of the face, hands, and feet. This growth is due to the thickening and growth of soft tissues and bones that can still respond to GH, despite the cessation of overall bodily growth. Acromegaly is often attributable to a benign tumor in the pituitary gland, which disrupts the normal regulation of GH production.