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Which one of the following human organs is often called the “graveyard” of RBCs?
A
Liver
B
Gall bladder
C
Kidney
D
Spleen
Detailed Solution
RBCs have an average life span of about 120 days.
Old and worn-out RBCs are trapped and destroyed by the macrophages of the spleen.
Because the destruction of RBCs takes place mainly here, the spleen is called the graveyard of RBCs.
The liver only processes the haemoglobin breakdown products into bile pigments, the gall bladder stores bile and the kidney filters blood; none of them is the main site of RBC destruction.
Hence the organ is the spleen.
Old and worn-out RBCs are trapped and destroyed by the macrophages of the spleen.
Because the destruction of RBCs takes place mainly here, the spleen is called the graveyard of RBCs.
The liver only processes the haemoglobin breakdown products into bile pigments, the gall bladder stores bile and the kidney filters blood; none of them is the main site of RBC destruction.
Hence the organ is the spleen.