What is the primary role of erythrocytes in the blood?

The primary role of erythrocytes, or red blood cells, is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen, allowing for efficient distribution throughout the bloodstream. This crucial function supports cellular metabolism and energy production in tissues.

While clotting is an essential process in hemostasis, it primarily involves platelets and certain proteins in the plasma, not erythrocytes. The immune response is predominantly managed by white blood cells, which play a key role in identifying and combating pathogens. Regulating temperature is a function more directly associated with the overall circulatory system and thermoregulatory mechanisms of the body, rather than a specific role of erythrocytes. Thus, transporting oxygen is distinctly the primary function of erythrocytes in the blood.