Which type of blood cell is primarily responsible for transporting oxygen?

The primary responsibility for transporting oxygen in the bloodstream lies with red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes. These cells contain hemoglobin, a specialized protein that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to tissues throughout the body. The presence of hemoglobin is what gives red blood cells their distinctive red color and enables effective oxygen transport.

While white blood cells are crucial for the immune response, platelets play a critical role in blood clotting, and stem cells are involved in the production of various blood cell types, they do not participate directly in the transportation of oxygen like red blood cells do. This specialized function of red blood cells is foundational to maintaining proper cellular metabolism and overall health in the body.