Multiple Choice
Which mineral is essential for healthy red blood cells because it is a key component of hemoglobin for oxygen transport?
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17. The Blood
Erythrocytes: Hemoglobin
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In erythrocytes, what molecule primarily gives blood its red color?
A
Myoglobin released from skeletal muscle
B
Plasma proteins such as albumin
C
Hemoglobin (specifically the heme group containing iron)
D
Bilirubin produced from hemoglobin breakdown
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that erythrocytes, or red blood cells, contain molecules responsible for their characteristic red color.
Recall that hemoglobin is the primary protein in erythrocytes that binds oxygen and contains iron within its heme groups.
Recognize that the iron in the heme group interacts with oxygen, which gives blood its bright red color when oxygenated.
Differentiate hemoglobin from other molecules listed, such as myoglobin (found in muscle), plasma proteins like albumin, and bilirubin (a breakdown product of hemoglobin), none of which primarily give blood its red color.
Conclude that the molecule primarily responsible for the red color of blood in erythrocytes is hemoglobin, specifically the heme group containing iron.
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