Chapter 4.2 The blood vessels

Question 1

What are the main types of blood vessels?

Answer 1

The main types of blood vessels are arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Question 2

Describe the structure of an artery.

Answer 2

An artery has a small lumen, a thick layer of muscle and elastic fibres, and thick walls.

Question 3

Describe the structure of a vein.

Answer 3

A vein has a large lumen, often have valves, and have relatively have thin walls.

Question 4

Describe the structure of a capillary.

Answer 4

A capillary has a tiny vessel with narrow lumen and walls a single cell thick.

Question 5

What type of blood does an artery carry?

Answer 5

An artery usually carries bright-red oxygenated blood away from the heart under high pressure.

Question 6

What type of blood does a vein carry?

Answer 6

A vein usually carries blood that is low in oxygen and therefore a deep purple-red colour.

Question 7

What is the definition of a double circulatory system?

Answer 7

The majority of mammals (including humans) utilize a double circulatory system. This means we have two loops in our body in which blood circulates. One is oxygenated, meaning oxygen rich, and the other is deoxygenated, which means it has little to no oxygen, but a lot of carbon dioxide.