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6.2: The Blood System

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State the function of arteries.



Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
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State the function of arteries.



Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
The circulatory system is made up of blood vessels that carry blood away from and towards the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the capillaries in the tissues of the body.
Image: State the function of arteries. Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
Outline the role of elastic and muscle tissue in arteries.


Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
The tunica media is the middle layer of an artery wall. It is a thick layer containing smooth muscle, elastic fibers and collagen that encircle the vessel. The muscle and elastic fibers assist in maintaining blood pressure between pump cycles.

As the blood inside the arteries is being pushed by the heart, the blood pushes against the insides of the artery walls. This pushing is "blood pressure." To cope with this pressure, the muscles and elastin in the artery walls hold them in shape and allow them to to stretch in response to each pulse. This elasticity also helps to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the arteries despite the pulsating nature of the blood flow.
Image: Outline the role of elastic and muscle tissue in arteries. Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
State the reason for toughness of artery walls.



Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
Arteries must be able to withstand the pressure of the blood as it moves with each heartbeat. Compared to veins, arteries have a thick, tough tunica media layer containing smooth muscle, elastic fibers and collagen that encircle the vessel.
Image: State the reason for toughness of artery walls. Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
Explain how arteries are able to transport the blood under high pressure from the heart to the rest of the body.



Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
Blood leaves the heart through arteries under high pressure as a result of the contraction of the ventricles. The thick muscular walls and narrow lumen of arteries maintains the pressure as the blood moves to the rest of the body. Additionally, the elastic recoil of the arterial walls helps to push blood between contractions of the heart.
Image: Explain how arteries are able to transport the blood under high pressure from the heart to the rest of the body. Understanding: Arteries convey blood at high pressure from the ventricles to the tissues of the body.
Describe the structure and function of the three layers of artery wall tissue.



Understanding: Arteries have muscle cells and elastic fibres in their walls.
Tunica externa- A tough outer layer of connective tissue the adheres the vessel to the surrounding tissue.

Tunica media- A thick layer containing smooth muscle, elastic fibers and collagen that hold arteries in shape and allow them to to stretch in response to each pulse.

Tunica intima- A smooth endothelium forming the lining of the artery. Allows blood to flow through the vessel with minimal resistance.
Image: Describe the structure and function of the three layers of artery wall tissue. Understanding: Arteries have muscle cells and elastic fibres in their walls.

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