What is the role of hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin plays a vital role in transporting gases throughout the body, primarily oxygen and, to a lesser extent, carbon dioxide. It is a protein found in red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to tissues and organs where it is needed for cellular respiration, the process by which cells generate energy. After releasing oxygen, hemoglobin picks up carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism, from the tissues and transports it back to the lungs for exhalation.

This function is crucial because it ensures that all cells receive the oxygen required for energy production while also facilitating the removal of carbon dioxide, maintaining acid-base balance, and promoting efficient respiratory function. Hemoglobin’s structure, with its ability to change shape and bond with gases, is what enables it to perform this dual role effectively. Other roles like producing energy, fighting infection, or regulating blood pressure are managed by different components in the body.