Blood Vessels (CIE IGCSE Biology)
Revision Note
Author
LáraExpertise
Biology Lead
Arteries, Veins & Capillaries
Arteries
- Carry blood at high pressure away from the heart
- Carry oxygenated blood (other than the pulmonary artery)
- Have thick muscular walls containing elastic fibres
- Have a narrow lumen
- Speed of flow is fast
Veins
- Carry blood at low pressure towards the heart
- Carry deoxygenated blood (other than the pulmonary vein)
- Have thin walls
- Have a large lumen
- Contain valves
- Speed of flow is slow
Comparing arteries and veins
Capillaries
- Carry blood at low pressure within tissues
- Carry both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood
- Have walls that are one cell thick
- Have ‘leaky’ walls
- Speed of flow is slow
Structure of a capillary
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