Question

1. Explain how erythrocytes contribute (including the names of proteins involved) to the transport of:
   1. Oxygen
   2. carbon dioxide

Answer 1

The protein that helps in transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide present in the erythrocyte is the Hemoglobin

a. oxygen: the Fe part of the Hemoglobin has binding site for the oxygen molecules. One Heoglobin is composd of four polypeptide chains with a central Heme part containing Fe. It can bind to 4 molecular oxygen O2

b. Carbon dioxide: carbon dioxide can bind to plasma proteins or can enter red blood cells and bind to hemoglobin. This form transports about 10 percent of the carbon dioxide.