How The Red Blood Cell Works

            The red blood cell’s primary function is to transport oxygen throughout the body to be diffused into body cells. It does this through an oxygen-carrying protein called hemoglobin which binds to oxygen. In order for the red blood cell to do its job, its structure consists only of a plasma membrane and cytoplasm so it can carry as much oxygen as possible. The red blood cell’s shape is a disc with a middle that caves in which allows for more oxygen storage. In addition, the shape gives the cell more surface area allowing oxygen to diffuse across its membrane.