Final answer:
The approximate partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in a gas mixture at 37°C and 760 mmHg with 21% oxygen concentration is 160 mm Hg, calculated by multiplying the total pressure by the oxygen percentage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking about the approximate PO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) in a gas mixture where the gas is at a temperature of 37°C, the barometric pressure is 760 mmHg, it is saturated with water vapor, and the oxygen concentration is 21%. To calculate the PO2, since the gas is saturated with water vapor, we should consider the vapor pressure of water at 37°C. However, as per the student's request to ignore the water vapor, the calculation becomes more straightforward. The partial pressure of oxygen in the gas mixture (PO2) can be found by multiplying the total pressure by the percent content of oxygen. The formula to calculate this is PO2 = total pressure x (percent content of oxygen).
In this case, the pressure of the atmosphere is given as 760 mm Hg, and the percent content of oxygen is 21% (or 0.21 as a decimal). Thus, the partial pressure of oxygen is PO2 = (760 mm Hg) x (0.21) = 160 mm Hg.