Final answer:
The claim that platelets have a lifespan of 8 to 10 days is false; their actual lifespan is around 10 days. They play a pivotal role in blood clotting and are eventually broken down by the liver and spleen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that platelets (thrombocytes) have a lifespan of 8 to 10 days is false. Platelets are essential components of the blood clotting system and have a typical lifespan of about 10 days.
These small cell fragments are produced from megakaryocytes and are crucial in blood clotting processes to prevent excessive blood loss.
When there is a break in the blood vessel, platelets accumulate at the site, adhering to the vessel walls and each other, forming a plug or clot. Although they lack a nucleus, platelets contain several small vesicles and are key players in hemostasis. After their life cycle, platelets are removed by the liver and spleen, where they are phagocytized by macrophages.