Researchers have long attempted to find a substitute for red blood cells, specifically the ability to carry oxygen. Which of the following properties would be important for "artificial red blood cells"?
A) must attach to and never release oxygen
B) must release oxygen to any other medium despite concentration gradient
C) would bind to iron molecules already bound to other artificial blood units
D) must provide the clotting reaction
E) would bind to oxygen in a high oxygen concentration solution and release oxygen when in a low oxygen concentration solution

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Artificial red blood cells would need to mimic the function of natural red blood cells, which involves binding to oxygen in a high oxygen concentration environment (lungs) and releasing it in a low oxygen concentration environment (body tissues). Option A is incorrect because red blood cells do release oxygen in certain situations, like during exercise. Option B is incorrect because releasing oxygen despite a concentration gradient would not be efficient for transporting oxygen to tissues. Option C is incorrect because artificial red blood cells should not interfere with the binding capacity of other artificial blood units. Option D is incorrect because clotting is the function of platelets, not red blood cells.

Researchers Have Long Attempted to Find a Substitute for Red