Which component of blood is necessary for oxygen transport?

The component of blood that is essential for oxygen transport is red blood cells (RBC). These specialized cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it throughout the body to tissues and organs. Hemoglobin effectively facilitates the exchange of gases—oxygen is picked up and transported while carbon dioxide is released for exhalation.

While hematocrit is a measure of the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells and may indicate the efficiency of oxygen transport, it is not a direct transporter itself. White blood cells play a critical role in the immune system but do not partake in oxygen transport. Plasma, the liquid component of blood, carries nutrients, hormones, and waste products but does not carry oxygen. Thus, red blood cells stand out as the primary vehicles for oxygen transport in the bloodstream.