Blood Vessels Flashcards
What are the 3 types of blood vessels?
Arteries
Veins
Capillaries
What is the function of arteries ? Explain in detail.
Pumps blood away from the heart to the rest of the body (AT A HIGH PRESSURE)
Strong and elastic fibres (prevent from bursting)
Thick walls
Thick layers of muscle (strong) (smooth)
Hole in the middle (LUMEN)
What is the function of the capillaries? Explain in detail.
Really tiny (too small to see)
Carry blood to cells in body and exchange substances with them
Permeable wall (allow exchange with other substances BY DIFFUSION)
Supply food (oxygen and glucose)
Take away waste (CO2)
Walls are only one cell thick (very thin overall)
Small lumen (hole in the middle)
What is the function for the vein? Explain in detail.
No thick walls (blood flows at a low pressure)
Very large lumen
Have valves (keep blood flowing in one direction) - because blood flow is low, can fall down and change directions therefore valve is needed
