Final answer:
Iron is the essential mineral needed to carry oxygen in the blood, as a vital part of the protein hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mineral required by the body to carry oxygen in the blood to all body tissues is iron. This mineral is a crucial component of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen and transports it throughout the body. Iron is one of the essential trace minerals that are necessary for various bodily functions.
While macrominerals like calcium and phosphorus are important for bone health and other processes, trace minerals, such as iron, play vital roles even in smaller amounts. An iron deficiency can lead to anemia, characterized by fatigue and a diminished capacity for physical work.