Arteries, Veins and Capillaries

• What are the three types of blood vessels in the human circulatory system?

  Arteries, veins, and capillaries
• How does the structure of arteries relate to their function?

  • Thick muscular walls withstand high pressure
  • Elastic fibers allow stretching and recoiling
  • Maintains blood flow during heartbeats
• What is the role of arteries in the circulatory system?

  To carry high-pressure blood from the heart to the organs
• How do capillaries facilitate the exchange of substances?

  • Very thin walls provide a short diffusion pathway
  • Allows rapid diffusion of glucose and oxygen to cells
  • Enables carbon dioxide to diffuse from cells back to blood
• What is the primary function of capillaries?

  To allow the exchange of substances between blood and body cells
• How does the structure of veins support their function?

  • Thin walls accommodate low blood pressure
  • Valves prevent backflow of blood
• Why do veins have valves?

  To prevent the backflow of blood when it is flowing slowly
• How does the pressure of blood in veins compare to that in arteries?

  Blood pressure in veins is lower than in arteries
• What adaptations do arteries have to cope with the surges of blood from the heart?

  • Thick muscular walls to withstand high pressure
  • Elastic fibers that stretch and recoil
• What happens to blood pressure as it moves from arteries to veins?

  Blood pressure decreases as it moves from arteries to veins
• What is the significance of the thin walls of capillaries?

  • Facilitates rapid diffusion of substances
  • Shortens the distance for exchange between blood and cells