Final answer:
Osteoporosis is the condition that is common in all metabolic bone diseases marked by a significant reduction in bone mass. It occurs when the rate of bone resorption outpaces bone formation, leading to weakened and brittle bones that are prone to fracture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition common to all metabolic bone diseases characterized by a reduction in bone mass greater than expected for age, race, or sex is Osteoporosis (B). Osteoporosis is a disease where bones become weaker and more brittle as the rate of bone resorption surpasses the rate of bone formation, which is a situation often seen with aging. Unlike Paget's disease, which involves chaotic new bone formation in response to overactive osteoclasts, osteoporosis involves a straightforward loss of bone mass without the haphazard bone remodeling characteristic of Paget's.
Hormonal changes, certain diseases, medications, and lifestyle factors like diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise can further contribute to bone thinning in osteoporosis. It's essential to understand the role that osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) and osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) play in the context of this condition. Hyperparathyroidism is one example of a condition that may lead to osteoporosis as a side effect due to its role in increasing bone resorption.