The measurement of the pressure of dissolved CO2 (PCO2) in the blood is most closely associated with the concentration of which substance?

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Multiple Choice

The measurement of the pressure of dissolved CO2 (PCO2) in the blood is most closely associated with the concentration of which substance?

Explanation:
The key idea is that carbon dioxide in the blood rapidly hydrates to form carbonic acid. CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3, a reaction catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase, and carbonic acid then dissociates to H+ and HCO3−. Because PCO2 measures the amount of dissolved CO2, it is most closely linked to the concentration of carbonic acid in the blood. The pH is influenced by the H+ produced from this system and by bicarbonate, but it’s not the same measurement as PCO2. Bicarbonate reflects the buffering state resulting from this equilibrium, and PO2 pertains to oxygen tension, not CO2.

The key idea is that carbon dioxide in the blood rapidly hydrates to form carbonic acid. CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3, a reaction catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase, and carbonic acid then dissociates to H+ and HCO3−. Because PCO2 measures the amount of dissolved CO2, it is most closely linked to the concentration of carbonic acid in the blood. The pH is influenced by the H+ produced from this system and by bicarbonate, but it’s not the same measurement as PCO2. Bicarbonate reflects the buffering state resulting from this equilibrium, and PO2 pertains to oxygen tension, not CO2.

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