Final answer:
Iron is the essential mineral in the hemoglobin molecule that allows for the transport of oxygen to the body's cells. It binds oxygen to hemoglobin, which is then carried by red blood cells to various parts of the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mineral which is part of the hemoglobin molecule and is critical for transporting oxygen throughout the body is iron. Hemoglobin is a complex protein that contains four iron ions, each capable of binding to one oxygen molecule. This remarkable capability allows each hemoglobin molecule to transport four oxygen molecules. The process of transporting oxygen is crucial for the survival of our cells and, thereby, for our overall health. Iron is absorbed into the body's iron pool and is utilized for the formation of new erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the bone marrow, facilitated by the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Iron's role in oxygen transport is essential, as it is the binding site for oxygen within the hemoglobin molecule.