Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

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What cellular element is responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues?

  1. Erythrocyte

  2. Leukocyte

  3. Megakaryocyte

  4. Thrombocyte

The correct answer is: Erythrocyte

The erythrocyte, also known as a red blood cell, is the cellular element responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues throughout the body. The primary component of erythrocytes is hemoglobin, a specialized protein that binds oxygen molecules in the lungs and releases them as blood circulates to other tissues. This ability to carry oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism and overall health. Other cellular elements like leukocytes, or white blood cells, primarily play a role in the immune response and do not participate in oxygen transport. Megakaryocytes are large bone marrow cells responsible for the production of platelets, which are involved in blood clotting rather than oxygen transport. Thrombocytes, or platelets, are fragments derived from megakaryocytes and are crucial for hemostasis but have no role in oxygen carriage. Thus, erythrocytes are uniquely adapted for the vital function of oxygen delivery in the bloodstream.