pCO2 electrode

Principle

• a glass electrode contained within a plastic jacket.
• the plastic jacket has a Teflon or silicon gas-permeable membrane across its opening.
• it is filled with a NaHCO3 buffer.

• when whole blood contact the membrane, CO2 passes through & results in a decrease in pH

CO2 + H20  <-->  HCO3-  +  H+

• the change in pH is measured by the glass electrode

More general terms

• glass electrode (ion-specific electrode, ISE)

Additional terms

• partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2)