Blood Vessels

Question 1

What is the structure of arteries?

Answer 1

They are tough on the outside and smooth on the inside.

It has 3 layers - an outer layer of tissue, a muscular middle, and an inner layer of epithelial cells which are elastic and very strong.

The inner layer is very smooth so that the blood can flow easily with no obstacles in its path.

The muscular wall of the artery helps the heart pump the blood; when the heart beats, the artery expands as it fills with blood. When the heart relaxed, the artery contracts, exerting a force that is strong enough to push the blood along.

Question 2

Capillaries

Answer 2

The arteries deliver the oxygen - rich blood to the capillaries, when the gaseous exchange occurs and nutrient uptake from the villi. The capillaries also then deliver the waste - rich blood to the veins for transport back to the lungs and heart.

Question 3

Arteries

Answer 3

• Arteries carry blood Away from the heart
• The thick, electric muscle layer can handle blood flow at high pressure through the arteries.
• Arteries carry oxygenated blood.
• Arteries have a pulse beat.

Question 4

Veins

Answer 4

• VeINs carry blood IN to the heart
• The thinner, elastic muscle layer carry blood at a lower pressure
• Veins carry deoxygenated blood
• Veins have semilunar valves helps prevent the blood from flowing in the wrong direction

Question 5

Summary of arterioles, vends and capillaries

Answer 5

• These are blood vessels in the micro circulation doing different jobs.
• They generally have a single cell wall, making them efficient at transporting and exchanging.
• They are smaller, but put together, have a huge surface area.
• They bring a rich supply of blood to the villus microvilli, alveoli and the kidney nephron.