Final answer:
The normal range of PCO₂ in the systemic arterial blood is 35-48 mm Hg for males and 32-45 mm Hg for females, which reflects the pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood and is used to monitor respiratory function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The normal systemic arterial blood value for PCO₂, which stands for partial pressure of carbon dioxide, varies slightly between males and females. For males, it ranges from 35-48 mm Hg, while for females, the norm is 32-45 mm Hg. These values represent the pressure exerted by carbon dioxide in arterial blood and are an essential part of blood gas analysis, often checked in clinical settings to assess a patient's respiratory function.
In cases where an imbalance occurs, such as in metabolic acidosis, the PCO₂ may initially remain normal. However, with compensation, the value may decrease as the body attempts to restore the proper balance between bicarbonate and carbonic acid/CO₂. In terms of blood gas exchange, as blood flows through systemic capillaries, it gains CO₂ from tissue cells due to a pressure gradient, with tissue cell PCO₂ normally around 45 mm Hg and systemic capillary blood PCO₂ at 40 mm Hg.