Final answer:
Hemoglobin is the pigment found in erythrocytes, and it binds with oxygen to transport it throughout the body. Myoglobin, on the other hand, is a pigment found in muscle tissues that stores oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pigment found in erythrocytes, or red blood cells, is called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein molecule made up of four subunits, each containing a heme group that contains iron. This iron allows hemoglobin to bind with oxygen molecules, enabling red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body.
Each hemoglobin molecule can bind with up to four oxygen molecules. When all four subunits of hemoglobin are bound to oxygen, the arterial blood carrying the oxygen is bright red in color. In contrast, deoxygenated venous blood appears darker red.
It is important to note that myoglobin is another pigment found in muscle tissues, not erythrocytes. Myoglobin also contains a heme group, but its primary function is to store oxygen within muscle cells.