What is the function of hemoglobin in the body?

Hemoglobin primarily functions as the key molecule responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. This protein, found in red blood cells, binds to oxygen molecules during respiration and releases them as needed by various cells throughout the body for metabolic processes. Additionally, hemoglobin plays a role in the reverse process, where it helps transport a portion of carbon dioxide—produced as a waste product of metabolism—back to the lungs for exhalation.

The specificity of hemoglobin for oxygen is crucial for maintaining adequate oxygen levels necessary for cellular respiration and energy production. Thus, its primary role is indeed to carry oxygen, making it integral to sustaining life by facilitating the oxygenation of tissues.