Question

How do arteries differ from veins?

a. Arteries have thicker smooth muscle layers to accommodate the changes in pressure from the heart.

b. Arteries carry blood.

c. Arteries have thinner smooth muscle layers and valves and move blood by the action of skeletal muscle.

d. Arteries are thin walled and are used for gas exchange.

Short answer

The correct answer is (a) Arteries have thicker smooth muscle layers to accommodate the changes in pressure from the heart.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction

• Arteries carry blood away from the heart, arteries carry oxygenated blood and arteries have thick walls with muscle tissue.

• Veins carry blood towards the heart. Veins carry deoxygenated blood Veins have thinner walls and use valves to keep your blood flowing.

Step 2. Explanation for the correct answer

a. Arteries have thicker smooth muscle layers to accommodate the changes in pressure from the heart.

• Arteries and arterioles have relatively thick muscular walls because blood pressure in them is high and because they must adjust their diameter to maintain blood pressure and to control blood flow.

Step 3. Explanation for the incorrect answer

b. Arteries carry blood.

• Veins also carry blood. Hence this option is not correct.

c. Arteries have thinner smooth muscle layers and valves and move blood by the action of skeletal muscle.

• Arteries have thicker smooth muscle layers. Hence this option is not correct.

d. Arteries are thin walled and are used for gas exchange.

• Arteries have thicker smooth muscle layers to accommodate the changes in pressure from the heart. Veins have thinner walls. Hence this option is not correct.