The partial pressure of oxygen (pao2) refers to the pressure exerted by oxygen in a mixture of gases, particularly in the context of the lungs and blood. It is crucial for understanding how oxygen is transported and exchanged during respiration, influencing the amount of oxygen that can diffuse into the bloodstream from the alveoli. This concept is integral to gas exchange processes, highlighting the balance between oxygen availability in the air and its diffusion into the blood.
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