Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which type of eukaryotic cell is primarily responsible for picking up oxygen in the lungs and transporting it to tissues throughout the body?
A
Neurons
B
Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
C
Platelets (thrombocytes)
D
White blood cells (leukocytes)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the function of each cell type listed in the options: Neurons are specialized for transmitting nerve signals, Platelets (thrombocytes) are involved in blood clotting, White blood cells (leukocytes) are part of the immune system, and Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are responsible for oxygen transport.
Recall that oxygen transport in the body is facilitated by hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it in tissues where it is needed.
Consider the structure of red blood cells: They are biconcave in shape, which increases their surface area for efficient gas exchange. They lack a nucleus to maximize space for hemoglobin.
Connect the role of red blood cells to the process of respiration: Oxygen is picked up in the lungs during inhalation and transported via the bloodstream to tissues for cellular respiration, which produces energy.
Conclude that the correct answer is Red blood cells (erythrocytes), as they are the specialized cells responsible for oxygen transport in the body.