Final answer:
The percentage of oxyhemoglobin to total hemoglobin in arterial blood is typically around 95-96%. This represents the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in the arteries, with the remainder being unbound or associated with other gases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The percentage of oxyhemoglobin to total hemoglobin in arterial blood is usually about 95-96%. Oxyhemoglobin is formed when hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs. Normal readings of oxygen saturation, as measured by a pulse oximeter, range from 95-100%. However, not all oxygen in the blood is carried as oxyhemoglobin; a small amount (<2%) is dissolved directly in the plasma. Each hemoglobin molecule can bind up to four oxygen molecules, transforming from deoxyhemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin, which then releases oxygen to the tissues where it is needed.