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

Name the corrosion resistant metals, Name the corrosion resistant metals ...

Name the corrosion resistant metals Most of the corrosion resistant metals or alloys used for implants have a layer of oxides on their surface. The thin (approximately 5 nm) la

Structure of the teeth, Describe the structure of the teeth? How is this ti...

Describe the structure of the teeth? How is this tissue modified to carryout its function?

Explain the classes of enzymes, System of classification The Enzyme Com...

System of classification The Enzyme Commission divided enzymes into 6 main classes, on the basis of the total reaction catalyzed. Each enzyme was assigned a code number; consis

Explain zanamivir, Zanamivir  (Relenza) Started within 2 days after on...

Zanamivir  (Relenza) Started within 2 days after onset of symptoms, this orally inhaled neuraminidase inhibitor can shorten the duration of illness and may decrease the incide

Define foam spray drying method, Define Foam Spray Drying Method? This...

Define Foam Spray Drying Method? This is an extension of spray drying and involves the use of gases dissolved under pressure prior to spraying. The main advantage is that the

Explain the alterations occurring in egg, Alterations occurring in egg ...

Alterations occurring in egg The quality, flavour, composition and functional properties of eggs are adversely affected more rapidly and to a greater extent by the speed and co

Define the coenzyme activity of nicotinic acid, Define the Coenzyme activit...

Define the Coenzyme activity of nicotinic acid? Nicotinamide exists within the redox-active coenzymes,  nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its phosphate (NADP), which

Endocrine glands - placenta, PLACEN T A - Placenta is the intimate...

PLACEN T A - Placenta is the intimate connection between the foehls and the uterine wall of the mother to exchange the materials. Placenta is a tempormy endocrine gland

Hypothetical age pyramids, Hypothetical Age Pyramids The three types o...

Hypothetical Age Pyramids The three types of hypothetical age pyramids which are as follows: 1) A pyramid with a broad base, indicating a high percentage of young individua

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