What is the iron-containing protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells?

What is the iron-containing protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells?

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. Myoglobin
• C. Fibrinogen
• D. Albumin

Answer: (A)

Oxygen transport in blood relies on an iron-containing protein in red blood cells. Hemoglobin has four heme groups, each with iron that binds oxygen reversibly, picking up O2 in the lungs and releasing it in tissues where it’s needed. This reversible binding is what makes hemoglobin the primary oxygen carrier in the bloodstream. Myoglobin also binds oxygen but is located in muscle tissue and serves mainly as a store and facilitator of oxygen delivery there, not as the blood’s transporter. Fibrinogen is involved in clotting, and albumin helps maintain blood volume and transports various substances, but neither is responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells.

Oxygen transport in blood relies on an iron-containing protein in red blood cells. Hemoglobin has four heme groups, each with iron that binds oxygen reversibly, picking up O2 in the lungs and releasing it in tissues where it’s needed. This reversible binding is what makes hemoglobin the primary oxygen carrier in the bloodstream. Myoglobin also binds oxygen but is located in muscle tissue and serves mainly as a store and facilitator of oxygen delivery there, not as the blood’s transporter. Fibrinogen is involved in clotting, and albumin helps maintain blood volume and transports various substances, but neither is responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells.