What is a primary function of red blood cells?

• A. Transport nutrients
• B. Remove carbon dioxide
• C. Produce hormones
• D. Regulate temperature

Answer: (B)

Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, play a crucial role in the body's respiratory function, particularly in the transport of gases. The primary function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues throughout the body. They achieve this through the protein hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen and carries it in the bloodstream.

In addition to transporting oxygen, red blood cells are also involved in removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism. As tissues utilize oxygen for energy production, they generate carbon dioxide, which is then diffused into the blood. Red blood cells help carry this carbon dioxide back to the lungs, where it can be exhaled. This dual function of gas transport is essential for maintaining the body's pH balance and overall homeostasis.

Other options listed in the question highlight functions that are not associated with red blood cells. For example, the transport of nutrients is primarily the role of plasma and other components of the blood, such as platelets, rather than red blood cells. The production of hormones is managed by endocrine glands and specific cells within those glands, not red blood cells. Lastly, temperature regulation is a systemic process involving various mechanisms, including blood flow and perspiration, rather than a primary role of