Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

What role does transferrin play in the body related to iron?

1. It assists in tissue repair.

2. It transports oxygen in the blood.

3. It carries iron throughout the body.

4. It regulates blood pressure.

The correct answer is: It carries iron throughout the body.

Transferrin is a glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in iron metabolism by carrying iron throughout the body. It binds to iron ions in the bloodstream and transports them to various tissues, including the liver, bone marrow, and muscles, where iron is utilized for different physiological functions such as hemoglobin production and cellular respiration. The importance of transferrin in iron transport is pivotal, especially considering that iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which is responsible for oxygen transport. The body regulates iron levels carefully, and transferrin helps to ensure that iron is available where it is needed while also preventing excess free iron in circulation, which can be toxic. In contrast to the other options, the roles associated with tissue repair, oxygen transport in the blood, and blood pressure regulation do not pertain to transferrin. Tissue repair involves various growth factors and proteins rather than transferrin. Oxygen transport is primarily the function of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Blood pressure regulation involves different mechanisms such as various hormones and the autonomic nervous system, not transferrin. Therefore, the role of transferrin as a carrier of iron throughout the body is clearly defined and critical for maintaining proper iron homeostasis.