What role does hemoglobin play in the body?

Hemoglobin is a crucial protein found in red blood cells that plays a vital role in transporting oxygen from the lungs to various tissues throughout the body. It binds to oxygen molecules that we inhale, allowing for efficient delivery to cells that require oxygen for cellular respiration, a process essential for energy production. In addition to its primary function of oxygen transport, hemoglobin also assists in the return of carbon dioxide from the body's tissues back to the lungs, where it can be exhaled. This dual role is fundamental to maintaining the body’s oxygen and carbon dioxide balance, supporting overall metabolic processes essential for life.