Question

What are the primary means of transport of oxygen in the body?
A) Pus
B) Mucus
C) Blood
D) Serum

Answer 1

Hint: Oxygen transport within the human body occurs through connective tissues. It has a red-coloured pigment called haemoglobin that carries oxygen to different tissues of the body.

Complete answer: Blood is a special connective tissue made up of plasma, RBCs, WBCs and platelets. Plasma contains water, salt and proteins. It constitutes the maximum portion of the blood. RBCs deliver oxygen from the lungs to different organs and tissues. WBCs are part of our immune system that helps the body to fight with infections. Platelets help to clot blood or wound. The blood also delivers other substances like hormones, ions, glucose, etc. It also carries carbon dioxide from tissues and helps in the exchange of gases in the alveoli of the lungs. Pus is generally caused by injury or infection. It is a thick fluid in texture that includes WBC and cellular debris. It may be white yellow or pink. Mucus is an aqueous secretion produced from cells of the mucous gland. Whereas, Plasma is a straw-coloured, viscous fluid constituting nearly 55% of the blood. Fibrinogen, globulins, and albumins are the major proteins. Fibrinogens are needed for clotting or coagulation of blood. Globulins are involved in the defence mechanisms of the body and the albumins help in osmotic balance. Plasma without the clotting factors (Fibrinogens) is called serum.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Note: RBC is formed in the red bone marrow in adults. RBCs are devoid of the nucleus in most of the mammals; they are biconcave in shape. They have a red-coloured iron-containing complex protein called haemoglobin. A healthy individual has 12 to 16 grams of haemoglobin in every 100 ml of blood. These molecules play a significant role in the transport of respiratory gases.