Arteries - circulation, Biology

Assignment Help:

Arteries - Circulation

The arteries deliver blood from the heart. Figure shows the structure of arteries and the different layers of the vessel wall. The thick walls of these blood vessels, except those of the smallest, are supplied by their own capillary network called vasa vasoram. The arteries serve four main functions:

  1. To act as a conduit for blood between heart and capillaries,
  2. To act as a pressure reservoir for forcing blood into small diameter arterioles,
  3. To produce a more or less even flow of blood through the capillaries,
  4. To control distribution of blood to different capillary networks via selective constriction of the terminal branches

 

 

143_Arteries - Circulation.png

Figure: Major structures in peripheral blood circulation in mammals. Blood flows from the arteries through the capillaries into the veins (id is internal diameter).

There is a precise control on arterial blood pressure. The nature of the arterial wall and the volume of blood pumped into the arteries determine the pressure. If any of these are changed, the pressure will also change. Normally, arterial blood pressure varies very little as cardiac output and capillary flow is evenly matched.

The elastic properties of arterial walls vary. Close to the heart the arteries are elastic and dampen the oscillations in pressure and flow generated by the contractions of the heart. As the heart relaxes the pressure in the arteries is maintained by a reduction in vessel volume. If the arteries were rigid tubes then the same pressure fluctuations would be experienced by peripheral vessels as that observed when blood leaves the heart.


Related Discussions:- Arteries - circulation

How the blood sugar level is maintained at a stable level, Discuss how the ...

Discuss how the blood sugar level is maintained at a stable level in the well fed and fasting state In  the fed state, clearance of blood  glucose is mainly by  liver via gluc

Breifly describe the menstrual cycle, Breifly describe the Menstrual Cycle?...

Breifly describe the Menstrual Cycle? Each month during a female's reproductive years, the hypothalamus secretes a hormone that stimulates the anterior lobe of the pituitary gl

Cell wall, Cell wall is the structure produced by some of the cells outsid...

Cell wall is the structure produced by some of the cells outside their cell membrane; variously composed of the chitin, peptidoglycan, or cellulose.

Results-ross operation--surgical techniques, Results: The risk of isolate...

Results: The risk of isolated aortic valve replacement is 3-4 per cent. The long term survival for 5, 10 and 15years is 75 per cent, 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. The

What happens within the cell in the third interface period, What are the ev...

What are the events that mark the beginning and the end of the third interphase period? What happens in the cell in this period? The third interphase period is the G2. It star

Types of surgery in exstrophy of the bladder, Types of Surgery   There ...

Types of Surgery   There may be two options for surgical correction. Urinary Diversion In this following procedures are performed:  1)  Uretero sigrnoidostomy  if there  is

Explain advantages of having internal gills, 1. Explain the challenges and ...

1. Explain the challenges and advantages of having internal gills over external gills for gas exchange? 2. Explain how increased stress levels can affect hormones which ultimate

How is the skin involved in the regulation of temperature, Q. How is the sk...

Q. How is the skin involved in the regulation of body temperature? Skin is one of various organ systems participating in maintaining a core temperature, meaning the temperature

Pseudocoelom - metazoa, Pseudocoelom - Metazoa The platyhelminths whic...

Pseudocoelom - Metazoa The platyhelminths which do not have a body cavity surrounding the gut, have a solid type of body constitution. The mesoderm completely fills the space

Define corneal xerosis - micronutrient deficiencies, Define Corneal Xerosis...

Define Corneal Xerosis - Micronutrient Deficiencies? This is a sign of severe vitamin 'A' deficiency, in which the cornea loses its normal smooth and glistening appearance and

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd