A physiologist investigated the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2pO_2pO2) in blood plasma and the percentage saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen in a healthy human blood sample.
Seven blood samples were maintained at a constant temperature of 37 °C and a constant physiological carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2pCO_2pCO2) of 5.3 kPa. Each sample was exposed to a different partial pressure of oxygen, and the percentage saturation of hemoglobin was recorded.
| Sample | Partial pressure of oxygen, pO2pO_2pO2 (kPa) | Percentage saturation of hemoglobin (%) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 0 | 0 |
| B | 2 | 12 |
| C | 4 | 38 |
| D | 6 | 74 |
| E | 8 | 91 |
| F | 10 | 96 |
| G | 12 | 97 |
Describe the relationship shown by this data.