Question

Some of the iron absorbed in the duodenum is taken up by erythroid precursors in bone marrow to make hemoglobin for RBCs. What is the function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

1) Transporting oxygen to body tissues
2) Transporting carbon dioxide away from body tissues
3) Transporting nutrients to body tissues
4) Transporting waste products away from body tissues

Answer 1

The main function of hemoglobin in red blood cells is to transport oxygen to body tissues, with a secondary role in carbon dioxide transport.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary function of hemoglobin in red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Hemoglobin, an iron-containing protein, has the unique capability to bind oxygen molecules, with each molecule capable of carrying up to four oxygen molecules. In addition, hemoglobin also plays a minor role in transporting carbon dioxide away from body tissues, which is essential for maintaining the acid-base balance in the blood and facilitating the elimination of carbon dioxide through the lungs.