Physiology

Partial Pressure

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Key Terms
These are the key terms and concepts covered in this lesson. After you have
learned a term, take a moment to write out your own explanation of the term.

Air pressure and components

• Patm

• PN2

• PO2

Alveolus

Atmospheric pressure

Boyle’s Law (P × V = k)

Capillaries

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Physiology
Partial Pressure
Partial pressure

Partial pressure of a gas dissolved

in liquid

Pgas = Fgas × Ptotal

(where Fgas = fraction of gas)

Ptotal = P1 + … + Pn (Dalton’s law)

Total oxygen in the blood

(Total O2 in blood = O2 dissolved +
O2 bound to hemoglobin)

Physiology
Partial Pressure
Concept Video Notes
Use the space below to jot down key points for each concept video. Attempt to
make connections between the concepts explained in these videos and others
already covered in the course. Are you unsure about any of the content? After
you take notes on each video, see if you can answer the questions posed with
each video.

Partial Pressure Basics

Video Notes

Key Questions

1) How do you calculate partial pressures of component gases in the atmosphere under typical environmental conditions, and in
special circumstances in which the gas we breathe is pressurized?

2) What is the relationship between the dissolved concentration of a gas in a liquid and the partial pressure of that gas?

3) How does equilibration of gases across a gas-liquid interface occur?

Champagne Bottle Example, Part 1

Video Notes

Physiology
Partial Pressure
Key Questions

1) Why do we get a pop when the cork is removed from a champagne bottle?

2) Why are there no bubbles initially and then bubbles when the cork is removed?

Champagne Bottle Example, Part 2

Video Notes

Key Questions

1) How would you explain the effect of partial pressure gradients on the movement of gases across a gas-liquid interface?

Partial Pressures in the Lungs and Blood

Video Notes

Physiology
Partial Pressure
Key Questions

1) How would you explain the effect of partial pressure gradients on the movement of gases across the alveolar-capillary interface?

2) What are the forms in which oxygen is transported in the blood?

3) What is the difference between partial pressure of oxygen in blood and oxygen content of blood?

Physiology
Partial Pressure
Learning Objectives
After you have completed the lesson, go through the learning objectives again.
Are you able to fill in a complete response to each learning objective?

1) Calculate partial pressures of component gases in the atmosphere under typical environmental conditions, and in special
circumstances in which the gas we breathe is pressurized

2) Explain the relationship between the dissolved concentration of a gas in a liquid and the partial pressure of that gas

3) Explain the equilibration of gases across a gas-liquid interface

4) Explain the effect of partial pressure gradients on the movement of gases across the alveolar-capillary interface

5) Delineate the forms in which oxygen is transported in the blood

6) Explain the difference between partial pressure of oxygen in blood and oxygen content of blood

Physiology
Partial Pressure
7) Describe the role nitrogen plays in decompression sickness

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Physiology
Partial Pressure