2.68 Blood vessels

Question 1

What are the key features of arteries?

Answer 1

-Carries high pressured blood away from the heart
-Carries oxygenated blood, except the pulmonary artery
-Thick muscular walls containing elastic fibers
-Narrow lumen
-Blood travels at a fast speed

Question 2

How is the structure of the arteries adapted towards its function?

Answer 2

-Thick muscular walls containing the fibers can withstand the high pressures and maintain blood pressure
-Narrow lumen maintains high pressure

Question 3

What are the key features of veins?

Answer 3

-Carries low pressured blood to the heart
-Carries deoxygenated blood, except the pulmonary vein
-Thin walls
-Large lumen
-Contains valves
-Blood moves at a slow pace

Question 4

How is the structure of the veins adapted towards its function?

Answer 4

-Large lumen decreases pressure
-Valve prevents the backflow of low pressured blood

Question 5

What are the key features of capillaries?

Answer 5

-Carries low pressured blood through tissues
-Both deoxygenated and oxygenated
-One cell thick walls
-Slow speed of blood

Question 6

How is the structure of the capillaries adapted towards its function?

Answer 6

-A one-cell thick wall makes it easy for diffusion
-Leaky walls let plasma leak out and form tissue