Blood Vessels Flashcards
What is the function of arteries?
To carry the blood away from the heart.
What is the function of the capillaries?
They are involved in the exchange of materials at the tissues.
What is the role of veins?
Veins carry blood TO the heart.
Why are artery walls strong and elastic?
As the heart pumps the blood out at high pressure.
What do arteries contain to make them strong and stretchy?
Thick layers of muscle, and elastic fibres so they can stretch and spring back.
Arteries branch into….
Capillaries
How do the capillaries exchange substances with cells?
It carries the blood close to every cell so it can diffuse through the permeable walls.
What do capillaries tend to supply and take from cells
Capillaries supply cells with food and oxygen
They take away waste such as CO2
Capillaries eventually join up to form….
Veins
Why do the walls of veins not need to be as thick as artery walls?
As the blood is at a lower pressure
Why do veins have bigger lumen (hole through the middle)?
To help the blood flow despite the lower pressure
Veins also have… to help keep the blood flowing in the …..
Valves to keep the blood flowing in the right direction.
How to calculate rate of blood flow?
Volume of blood/ number of minutes.
