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Multiple Choice
Which molecule in the blood primarily affects its ability to carry oxygen?
A
Cholesterol
B
Hemoglobin
C
Glucose
D
Insulin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of oxygen transport in the blood. Oxygen is carried from the lungs to tissues via the bloodstream, and specific molecules are responsible for this transport.
Step 2: Review the function of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds oxygen molecules in the lungs and releases them in tissues. It is the primary molecule responsible for oxygen transport in the blood.
Step 3: Examine why other molecules listed in the question are not involved in oxygen transport. Cholesterol is a lipid involved in cell membrane structure and hormone synthesis, glucose is a sugar used for energy, and insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. None of these molecules directly affect the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Step 4: Recall the structure of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin contains iron ions in its heme groups, which bind oxygen molecules. This binding is reversible, allowing hemoglobin to pick up oxygen in the lungs and release it in tissues.
Step 5: Conclude that hemoglobin is the correct answer because it is the molecule in the blood that primarily affects its ability to carry oxygen.