Blood Vessels

Question 1

Arteries…

Answer 1

Flow away from the heart, have a narrower lumen than a vein, carry blood at high pressure, contain elastic tissue and folded endothelium (can stretch and recoil to maintain a smooth pressure) and contain thick muscle so they can contract and change the flow of blood (vasodilation and vasoconstriction)

Question 2

Veins…

Answer 2

Have a wide lumen, with a thin layer of smooth muscle (can’t contract and less friction) and one way valves to prevent the backflow of blood. Veins carry blood at low pressure

Question 3

Capillaries…

Answer 3

Surround all cells and exchange oxygen and glucose, the endothelium is only 1 cell thin so they have a high surface area and a short diffusion pathway

Question 4

Arterioles…

Answer 4

Contain sphincters that are rings of muscles that can contract/dilate to regulate blood flow