A1.2 Blood Vessels

Front

What do arteries do?

Back

Carry blood away from the heart. Blood is under great pressure in arteries, hence it flows fast. Arteries have thick and elastic muscular walls and no valves.

Front

What do veins do?

Back

Carry blood towards the heart. Blood is under low pressure in veins, hence it flows more slowly and smoothly. Veins have relatively thin, slightly muscular walls and semi-lunar valves.

Front

What is the function of capillaries?

Back

Connect the smallest branch of an artery to the smallest branch of a vein. Capillaries are thin walled and allow gases and fluids to be exchanged with cells by diffusion.

Front

What is blood pressure?

Back

Relates to the pressure of blood against blood vessel walls.

Front

What is a sphygmomanometer used for?

Back

It is used to measure blood pressure.