Final answer:
The liver, alongside the spleen and bone marrow, is involved in breaking down old and damaged erythrocytes. The liver's function in processing haemoglobin and storing vital substances underlines its comprehensive metabolic role. Hence, the RBC "graveyard" is not only the liver, as other organs are also involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the statement that the RBC "graveyard" is the liver, it is both True and False. The liver does play a crucial role in breaking down old and damaged erythrocytes (red blood cells), and in doing so, it breaks down haemoglobin to create metabolites that are added to bile as pigment (bilirubin and biliverdin). However, it is important to note that this process also involves the spleen and the bone marrow, as these organs also engulf and break down the erythrocytes with the help of macrophages.
The primary function of erythrocytes is to carry oxygen throughout the body, and they have an average lifespan of about 120 days. After their lifecycle, erythrocytes are removed from circulation and phagocytized by macrophages in these organs. The liver's involvement in the metabolic processes, including the conversion of ammonia to urea and storage of vital substances such as glucose and vitamins, shows its extensive role beyond just being a part of the RBC removal process.
In summary, while the liver is one of the places where RBCs are destroyed, referring to it solely as the RBC "graveyard" is an oversimplification as this process is a shared function with the spleen and bone marrow.