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Lesson 8.3 Bloood vessels

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Introduction to the lesson

One of the most important parts of the transport system, is a network to take the blood from the heart to every part of the body. Arteries, veins, arterioles, venules and capillaries form a very efficient system of transporting oxygenated blood to the body tissues and bringing deoxygenated blood back from the body tissues to the heart. These vessels allow your blood to pass through the heart and the body over and over again your whole life long.

Blood vessels

Read the section "Blood vessels" on p.160 of your text book.

Arteries

Read the section "Arteries" on p.161-162.

Learning Activity 1

Answer the following questions in your exercise book.

  1. Draw a labelled plan diagram of the artery. Include
    1. Tunica intima
    2. Tunica media
    3. Tunica externa
  2. How is the structure of arteries adapted to suit their function?
  3. Answer Question 8.2 on p.162 of your text book.
  4. Refer to Fig. 8.3 on p.159 of your text book. Name the following arteries:
    1. The artery that leaves the heart (from the left ventricle) with oxygenated blood
    2. The artery that takes oxygenated blood to the head
    3. The artery that takes oxygenated blood to the liver
    4. The artery that takes oxygenated blood to the kidney
    5. The artery that takes oxygenated blood to the intestines
    6. The artery that takes oxygenated blood to the lower limbs (legs)
    7. The artery that takes oxygenated blood to the upper limbs (arms)
    8. The artery that takes deoxygenated blood to the lungs

 Capillaries

 Read the section "Capillaries" on p.162 of your text book.

Learning Activity 2

Answer the following questions in your exercise book.

  1. Draw a labelled plan diagram of the capillary.
  2. What features make capillaries well adapted to their function?
  3. Answer Question 8.3 on p.162.

 Veins

Read the section "Veins" on p.162-163.

Learning Activity 3

Answer the following questions in your exercise book.

  1. Draw a labelled plan diagram of the vein. Include
    1. Tunica intima
    2. Tunica media
    3. Tunica externa
  2. Compare your plan diagram of the vein to your plan diagram of the artery. List the similarities and the differences.
  3. How is the vein adapted to suit its function?
  4. Answer Questions 8.4 and 8.5 on p.163.
  5. Refer to Fig. 8.3 on p.159 of your text book. Name the following veins:
    1. The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart
    2. The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the head
    3. The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the liver
    4. The vein between the intestine and the liver
    5. The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the kidney
    6. The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the lower limbs (legs)
    7. The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the upper limbs (arms)
    8. The vein that returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart

 Definitions and review

Definitions

  1. Arteries
  2. Veins
  3. Capillaries
  4. Endothelium
  5. Tunica intima
  6. Tunica media
  7. Tunica externa
  8. Arterioles
  9. Capillary beds
  10. Venules
  11. Semilunar valves

Mindmap

Add this section to your chapter eight mindmap.