OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of haemoglobin?

1. Provide protein chains for amino acid synthesis

2. Transport gases

3. Bind iron

4. Eliminate waste products

The correct answer is: Transport gases

The primary function of hemoglobin is to transport gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, throughout the body. Hemoglobin molecules, which are found in red blood cells, have a unique ability to bind to oxygen in the lungs and release it to tissues that require it, playing a crucial role in cellular respiration. Additionally, hemoglobin helps transport carbon dioxide, a metabolic waste product, back to the lungs for exhalation. This dual function is vital for maintaining the body's overall homeostasis and ensuring that tissues receive the oxygen necessary for metabolic processes. While binding iron and other functions such as waste elimination are important for overall body function, they are not the primary roles of hemoglobin. Its main purpose remains the efficient transport of respiratory gases, which is fundamental to life.