Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What is the primary function of hemoglobin in the body?

1. a. transporting nutrients.

2. b. regulating body temperature.

3. c. transporting oxygen.

4. d. aiding digestion.

The correct answer is: c. transporting oxygen.

Hemoglobin's primary function in the body is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs. It is a protein found in red blood cells and has a high affinity for oxygen, allowing it to pick up oxygen molecules in the lungs where oxygen concentration is high. Once it reaches areas in the body where oxygen is needed, hemoglobin releases the oxygen, making it available for cellular processes that require oxygen for energy production. This function is critical because all aerobic organisms, including humans, depend on oxygen to generate energy through metabolic processes. Without effective oxygen transport, cells would be unable to perform essential functions, leading to fatigue and ultimately organ failure. The other options, while important, do not accurately represent hemoglobin's primary role. Nutrient transport relies more on different proteins and mechanisms within the circulatory system. Body temperature regulation is primarily managed through metabolic processes and blood flow rather than hemoglobin and its functions. Digestion involves various enzymes and organs and does not involve hemoglobin. Thus, the specificity of hemoglobin’s role in oxygen transport distinguishes it as the correct answer in this context.