Oxygen transport refers to the process by which oxygen is carried from the lungs to the body's tissues. In humans, this occurs primarily through the bloodstream, where hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, binds to oxygen molecules. As blood circulates, hemoglobin releases oxygen to cells, enabling them to produce energy. Once oxygen is delivered, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, is transported back to the lungs for exhalation. This exchange is crucial for maintaining the body's metabolic functions and ensuring that cells receive the oxygen they need to operate efficiently.