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The component of blood primarily responsible for transporting oxygen is red blood cells. These cells contain a protein called hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it through the bloodstream to various tissues and organs in the body. Hemoglobin's structure enables it to pick up oxygen efficiently in areas of high oxygen concentration, such as the lungs, and release it in areas where oxygen levels are lower, like the tissues that require it for metabolic processes.

While white blood cells are crucial for the immune response, their primary function is to fight infections and not to transport gases. Platelets play a key role in the blood clotting process to prevent bleeding, while plasma serves as the liquid matrix that carries cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. However, none of these components are primarily designated for oxygen transport, highlighting the unique and essential role red blood cells play in respiratory physiology.