What is the role of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

Hemoglobin plays a crucial role in the transportation of oxygen within the bloodstream. This protein, found in red blood cells, has a high affinity for oxygen, allowing it to effectively pick up oxygen from the lungs and transport it to various tissues and organs throughout the body that need it for metabolic processes. The structure of hemoglobin enables it to bind oxygen molecules; it can also release them where the oxygen concentration is lower, such as in actively respiring tissues.

Additionally, hemoglobin carries a small amount of carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, back to the lungs for exhalation. While hemoglobin does have some secondary roles, such as assisting in the buffering of blood to help maintain pH, its primary and most significant function is oxygen transport. This characteristic is essential for maintaining cellular respiration and energy production within the body.