234k views
3 votes
Erythrocytes (RBCs) carry O2 to tissues and CO₂ to lungs. What is the main function of erythrocytes?

1) Transporting oxygen to tissues
2) Transporting carbon dioxide to lungs
3) Transporting nutrients to cells
4) Transporting waste products away from cells

User R Esmond
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues, supporting cellular respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells (RBCs), have the main function of carrying oxygen in the blood. They contain a protein called hemoglobin, which binds with oxygen and transports it to the body's tissues.

Erythrocytes pick up inhaled oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to the cells, providing oxygen for cellular respiration. Therefore, the main function of erythrocytes is to transport oxygen to tissues.

User Chris Dolan
by
8.4k points