Which component of the cardiovascular system is primarily responsible for oxygen transport in the blood?

The component of the cardiovascular system primarily responsible for oxygen transport in the blood is erythrocytes, commonly known as red blood cells. Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin, a specialized protein that binds to oxygen molecules in the lungs and releases them to the tissues throughout the body. Approximately 97% of oxygen transport in the blood is facilitated by hemoglobin within erythrocytes.

While plasma serves as the liquid medium for carrying blood cells, nutrients, and waste products, it plays a minor role in oxygen transport, typically carrying dissolved oxygen in very small amounts. Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are primarily involved in the immune response and defending the body against infections, not in oxygen transport. Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting and wound healing, which is unrelated to oxygen delivery. Thus, erythrocytes are the key players in ensuring adequate oxygen supply to organs and tissues.