Blood vessels Flashcards
1
Q
Arteries
A
when blood leaves the heart in the arteries, it is under great pressure as a result of the heart beat so the walls of the arteries are elastic to allow them to expand
2
Q
Veins
A
contain little elastin, due to the pressure being greatly reduced by the time it reaches the left side of the circulatory system, as it is furthest away from the source of the heart beat. the larger veins have valves in them to help prevent back flow
3
Q
Capillaries
A
are the smallest branches of the blood vessels + connect arteries to veins. the gaseous exchange takes place in the capillaries
