Blood vessels — artery / vein / capillary
Edexcel GCSE Biology revision on Blood vessels — artery / vein / capillary. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 25)
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Question 1
Which structural feature allows capillaries to efficiently exchange substances with body cells?
- A) Thick muscular walls
- B) Permeable single-cell walls
- C) Internal valve structures
- D) Elastic connective tissue
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Answer: Permeable single-cell walls
The walls of capillaries are composed of a single layer of endothelial cells. This minimal thickness reduces the diffusion distance for oxygen, glucose, and waste products, facilitating rapid exchange between the blood and surrounding tissues.
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Question 2
Why do veins contain valves throughout their length?
- A) To increase blood pressure
- B) To prevent blood backflow
- C) To speed up blood velocity
- D) To filter out large cells
Show answer
Answer: To prevent blood backflow
Veins carry blood at low pressure back to the heart, often against gravity. Valves are essential to ensure the blood continues to flow in one direction and does not pool or flow backwards when muscles relax.
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Question 3
Which blood vessel is primarily responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart at high pressure?
- A) The capillary network
- B) The systemic artery
- C) The pulmonary vein
- D) The vena cava vessel
Show answer
Answer: The systemic artery
Arteries possess thick, elastic, and muscular walls to withstand the high pressure generated by the heart's ventricular contraction. This structural design maintains the blood flow as it is pumped out to the rest of the body.
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