Final answer:
The claim that erythrocytes live long due to a lack of DNA is false; they have a short lifespan of about 120 days, and their lack of a nucleus is actually to accommodate more hemoglobin for oxygen transport.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that erythrocytes (red blood cells) live very long because cells without DNA are unable to produce and repair old, worn-out cell parts is false. In reality, erythrocytes have a relatively short lifespan of around 120 days. These cells are manufactured in the marrow of long bones, rib bones, the skull, and vertebrae, and after their lifespan, they are destroyed primarily in the liver and spleen by macrophages. The lack of a nucleus in mature red blood cells allows for more room to carry hemoglobin, which is critical for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Although they do not have organelles to repair themselves, their lack of longevity is compensated by continuous production in the bone marrow.