Final answer:
The statement about hemoglobin recycling is true; globin is broken down for protein synthesis while iron is stored or used for new erythrocytes creation, exemplifying the efficient reuse of materials in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true. Hemoglobin, which is found in erythrocytes (red blood cells), is composed of a globin protein and a heme group. When erythrocytes are recycled, the globin and heme are separated. The globin portion is broken down into amino acids that are then used for protein synthesis, which can be part of the process of creating new erythrocytes. The iron from the heme portion is not wasted either. This iron is removed and bound to a protein called transferrin, which transports it to storage sites in the liver or spleen where it can be stored as ferritin or hemosiderin, or sent to the bone marrow to help create new red blood cells.
The non-iron component of the heme turns into biliverdin and subsequently bilirubin, which is used in bile production. This helps to emulsify fats during digestion. Ultimately, excess bilirubin is converted in the large intestine to stercobilin by bacteria and is then excreted.