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Gigantism is abnormally large growth during childhood caused byexcess growth hormone secreted by the anterior pituitarygland.

Robert Wadlow, born on February 22, 1918, weighed a normal eightpounds, six ounces. However, by the time Robert reached the age ofsix months old, he weighed 30 pounds (Hamilton, 1993). Within onlya year, his weight rose to 62 pounds, more than double the normalweight of a baby at 18 months. Aside from his weight, Robertcontinued to grow at an astounding rate, reaching six feet, twoinches and 195 pounds by the time he was eight years old. Robert'sunique size was attributed to an over active pituitary gland, whichproduced much higher than normal levels of growth hormone. At thetime of his death in July 1940 at the age of 22, Robert had reacheda height of 8 feet 11.1 inches and weighed 485 pounds (Hamilton,1993).

Answer the following assignment questions:

How does growth hormone regulate various body functions in adults,and what could cause the excess secretion of growth hormone?
Discuss the relationship between growth hormone and insulin, andare there complications associated with their interaction?
Why is gigantism usually more difficult to treat thandwarfism?
Give examples of two other hormones secreted by the pituitary, andbriefly describe how they specifically affect other organ systemsof the body?
Some athletes have resorted to the illegal use of anabolic steroidsto increase strength and muscle size. How are anabolic steroidsdifferent from growth hormone? Briefly explain your answer.

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Sixta Kovacek
Sixta KovacekLv2
29 Sep 2019

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