What is the oxygen-carrying pigment found in red blood cells?

The oxygen-carrying pigment found in red blood cells is hemoglobin. This protein is crucial for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues throughout the body. Hemoglobin binds with oxygen molecules, allowing for efficient delivery of oxygen to cells where it is used for energy production. It also plays a role in transporting carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.

Myoglobin, while also an oxygen-binding protein, is primarily found in muscle cells and is responsible for storing oxygen for immediate use during muscle contraction. Carotene is a pigment that gives color to fruits and vegetables and is involved in the production of vitamin A, but it does not have a role in oxygen transport. Melanin is a pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes, providing some UV protection, but it is not involved in oxygen transport at all. Thus, hemoglobin is uniquely positioned as the primary oxygen carrier in red blood cells, making it the correct answer.