What is the primary function of red blood cells?

The primary function of red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs throughout the body. This process is facilitated by hemoglobin, a protein within red blood cells that binds to oxygen molecules. The ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen is critical for cellular respiration, which is the process by which cells produce energy. In addition to carrying oxygen, red blood cells also help transport a small amount of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product produced by cells, back to the lungs for exhalation. This essential function of transporting oxygen is vital for maintaining the body’s metabolic processes and overall homeostasis.