Blood Vessels Flashcards
What do arteries do?
Carry blood away from the heart
What are the three types of blood vessels?
Arteries, veins, capillaries
What do capillaries do?
Involved in the exchange of materials at the tissues
What do veins do?
Carry blood to the heart
Why do arteries have strong, thick and elastic walls?
Because blood is pumped by heart at high pressure
What do arteries contain to make them strong?
Thick layers of muscle
What is the largest artery in the body?
The aorta
What adaptations do capillaries have to help them with their function?
- only one cell wall thick, to increase rate of diffusion by decreasing distance.
- they are very tiny so they can reach close to every cell and exchange substances with cell
Veins are formed by…
Joined up capillaries
Arteries branch into…
Capillaries
Why do veins have a bigger lumen?
To help blood flow
Why do veins have thinner walls?
Blood is at a lower pressure
What of valves do?
Prevent backflow of blood
What is the largest vein in the body?
The vena cava
