What blood protein is necessary for the transport of oxygen and is affected by iron deficiency?

Hemoglobin is the correct answer because it is the primary protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Each hemoglobin molecule can bind to up to four oxygen molecules, and its ability to do so is significantly influenced by the presence of iron. Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin because it forms the heme group, which is the part of the protein that directly binds to oxygen.

In cases of iron deficiency, the production of hemoglobin is impaired, leading to lower hemoglobin levels in the blood. This can result in decreased oxygen transport capacity, which is why symptoms of iron deficiency often include fatigue and weakness due to insufficient oxygen delivery to tissues.

The other choices serve different functions: albumin helps maintain osmotic pressure in the blood, myoglobin is involved in oxygen storage in muscles, and fibrinogen plays a role in blood clotting. None of these proteins are primarily responsible for oxygen transport in the bloodstream like hemoglobin.