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Blood serves as a crucial component in the bodies of many multicellular animals, including humans. It helps cater to the needs of animal cells in several vital ways:
1. Transport of Oxygen: Red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin, carry oxygen from the lungs to various parts of the body. Each red blood cell can bind to four molecules of oxygen, which it then releases to the cells. Oxygen is necessary for cellular respiration, a process by which cells produce energy.
2. Removal of Carbon Dioxide: After cells produce energy, they generate carbon dioxide (CO2) as a waste product. Blood transports this CO2 back to the lungs, where it's expelled from the body as we exhale.
3. Nutrient Supply: Blood distributes nutrients to cells throughout the body. After digestion, the nutrients from food are absorbed into the bloodstream from the gut. These nutrients include glucose, amino acids, fats, vitamins, and minerals that cells require for energy, growth, and repair.
4. Waste Removal: Cells generate waste products that need to be eliminated to maintain a stable environment. The blood carries these waste products to organs such as the kidneys and liver, which filter and detoxify the blood, respectively