SOC 16 : THE STRUCTURE OF BLOOD VESSELS

Question 1

WHAT ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF ARTERIES

Answer 1

• they take blood away from the heart
• they have thick walls and are more elastic than veins as they carry blood which is at a higher pressure than veins as they carry oxygenated blood
• the channel the blood flows through can widen to allow more blood through when you exercise so then it can reach the working muscles quicker

Question 2

WHAT ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEINS

Answer 2

• veins carry blood into the heart
• they have thinner walls, less elastic and carry blood at a lower pressure
• they contain valves which allows deoxygenated blood flow to the heart
• the pulmonary vein is different to other veins as it carries oxygenated veins instead if deoxygenated blood like the rest of the veins

Question 3

WHAT ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF CAPILLARIES

Answer 3

• they are microscopic vessels
• they carry oxygenated blood which transfers oxygen and nutrients to the muscles
• they also carry deoxygenated blood into the veins picking up waste products and dispoing them around the body
• this is where gaseous exchange takes place