What is the role of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

What is the role of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

• A. To protect cells from infections
• B. To stabilize blood pressure
• C. To transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
• D. To assist in blood clotting

Answer: (C)

Hemoglobin serves a critical function in red blood cells by transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body and facilitating the return of carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. This dual role is essential for maintaining cellular respiration and overall metabolic processes. Hemoglobin molecules can bind to oxygen molecules, allowing for efficient oxygen delivery, while also having the ability to bind carbon dioxide for its transport back to the lungs for exhalation. This makes hemoglobin vital not just for oxygen transport but also for maintaining acid-base balance in the blood through the bicarbonate buffering system. In contrast, the other options highlight functions that do not pertain directly to hemoglobin. The protection from infections is primarily carried out by white blood cells and the immune system. Stabilizing blood pressure relates more to the function of blood vessels and the cardiovascular system rather than hemoglobin itself. Blood clotting involves platelets and various clotting factors, rather than hemoglobin, which plays no direct role in hemostasis. Thus, the key role of hemoglobin in red blood cells is indeed centered around the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Hemoglobin serves a critical function in red blood cells by transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body and facilitating the return of carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. This dual role is essential for maintaining cellular respiration and overall metabolic processes. Hemoglobin molecules can bind to oxygen molecules, allowing for efficient oxygen delivery, while also having the ability to bind carbon dioxide for its transport back to the lungs for exhalation. This makes hemoglobin vital not just for oxygen transport but also for maintaining acid-base balance in the blood through the bicarbonate buffering system.

In contrast, the other options highlight functions that do not pertain directly to hemoglobin. The protection from infections is primarily carried out by white blood cells and the immune system. Stabilizing blood pressure relates more to the function of blood vessels and the cardiovascular system rather than hemoglobin itself. Blood clotting involves platelets and various clotting factors, rather than hemoglobin, which plays no direct role in hemostasis. Thus, the key role of hemoglobin in red blood cells is indeed centered around the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.