What is the function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

The function of hemoglobin in red blood cells is to bind oxygen and carbon dioxide. Hemoglobin is a specialized protein located within red blood cells that allows for the efficient transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body, where it is needed for cellular respiration. Once it delivers oxygen to the tissues, hemoglobin also picks up carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product produced by cells, and carries it back to the lungs for exhalation. This dual role in gas exchange is essential for maintaining the body's metabolic processes and keeping tissues healthy and functioning properly. Other roles such as transporting nutrients, regulating temperature, or preventing blood clotting are handled by different components of the blood or different physiological mechanisms, making the primary function of hemoglobin distinctly tied to respiration.