Blood vessels

• What are the main types of blood vessels discussed?

  Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins, venules
• What is the primary function of blood vessels?

  To transport blood throughout the body
• Why is high pressure important in blood vessels?

  It allows efficient nutrient delivery and waste removal
• How can blood vessels be compared to a road system?

  Motorways represent larger vessels, branching smaller
• What is the role of the heart in the circulatory system?

  It pumps blood through the vessels
• Which direction do arteries carry blood?

  Away from the heart
• What happens to arteries as they become smaller?

  They turn into arterioles
• What is the function of capillaries?

  Exchange of nutrients and gases occurs here
• What are venules?

  Small vessels returning blood to the heart
• How do veins differ from arteries in structure?

  Veins have thinner walls and wider lumens
• What is unique about veins compared to other blood vessels?

  Veins contain valves to prevent backflow
• Why do veins have valves?

  To ensure blood flows in one direction
• How do skeletal muscles assist veins in blood flow?

  Skeletal muscles contract and massage veins
• How does blood pressure change as it moves through the circulatory system?

  Blood pressure decreases from arteries to veins
• What happens to blood pressure in capillaries?

  Blood pressure drops significantly
• Why are capillary walls so thin?

  To maximize gas and nutrient exchange
• What is the lumen of a capillary like?

  Very narrow, squeezing red blood cells
• What is the endothelium?

  The inner layer of cells in blood vessels
• What is the role of arterioles in blood flow?

  They control the diameter and flow of blood
• How does blood flow change during strenuous exercise?

  More blood flows to vital organs
• What happens to blood after it has exchanged gases in the capillaries?

  It returns to the heart via veins
• What is the primary function of venules?

  To carry blood from capillaries to veins
• How do arterioles adapt to changes in blood flow?

  They can constrict to limit diameter
• What is the significance of the blood pressure drop in capillaries?

  It reduces the risk of damage to walls
• What happens to blood pressure as it moves from arteries to veins?

  It decreases significantly
• What is the role of collagen in artery walls?

  To provide strength and withstand pressure
• How does the structure of veins support their function?

  Thin walls and wide lumens facilitate flow
• What happens to blood pressure in veins compared to arteries?

  It is much lower in veins
• Why do veins have valves?

  To prevent backflow of low-pressure blood
• How do skeletal muscles assist in venous return?

  They contract and massage veins to push blood
• What is the difference between venules and veins?

  Venules are smaller and have no valves
• What happens to blood pressure as it travels through capillaries?

  It drops significantly
• What is the primary role of capillaries in the circulatory system?

  To facilitate gas and nutrient exchange
• How does blood flow change during exercise?

  It prioritizes vital organs over others
• What is the significance of the endothelium in blood vessels?

  It provides a smooth inner layer for blood flow
• What happens to blood after it has exchanged gases in the capillaries?

  It returns to the heart via veins
• How do arterioles adapt to changes in blood flow?

  They can constrict to limit diameter
• What is the significance of the blood pressure drop in capillaries?

  It reduces the risk of damage to walls
• What is the role of collagen in artery walls?

  To provide strength and withstand pressure
• How does the structure of veins support their function?

  Thin walls and wide lumens facilitate flow