Final answer:
Macrophages are responsible for disposing of dying cells in the mammalian skin. They evolve from monocytes and have the ability to phagocytize pathogens and cellular debris. Macrophages also play a crucial role in the clearance of aging erythrocytes from the blood circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
​Macrophages are specialized cells involved in the detection, phagocytosis, and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms. In addition, they can also dispose of dying cells and tissues in the mammalian skin, playing a crucial role in the immune response and homeostasis. Given the options provided in the question, c. macrophages are the correct answer. Macrophages evolve from monocytes, a type of white blood cell. They are considered agranular leukocytes and are effective at phagocytizing pathogens and dead or dying cells.
A related biological process is hematopoiesis, which occurs in the bone marrow and gives rise to various types of blood cells, including macrophages. When considering the removal of aging and damaged erythrocytes from the circulation, it is the macrophages that perform this task. In case of a cut that allows bacteria to enter, macrophages, along with other cells like neutrophils and monocytes, help to eliminate the bacteria through phagocytosis.