Which component of blood is primarily responsible for oxygen transport?

The component of blood primarily responsible for oxygen transport is red blood cells. These cells contain hemoglobin, a specialized protein that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to tissues throughout the body. Hemoglobin has a high affinity for oxygen, allowing red blood cells to efficiently pick up and release oxygen as needed depending on the oxygen concentration in the tissues.

In contrast, white blood cells are crucial for the immune response, defending the body against infections and foreign substances. Platelets play a key role in blood clotting and wound healing, but they do not have a function related to oxygen transport. Plasma, the liquid portion of blood, serves as a medium for carrying hormones, nutrients, and waste products but does not transport oxygen directly. Thus, red blood cells are the main agents responsible for delivering oxygen to every cell in the body.