3. Circulatory System - capillaries Flashcards
1
Q
What do the capillaries connect together?
A
The arterioles and venules at the capillary bed.
2
Q
What are venules?
A
Small blood vessels that connect to veins.
3
Q
What branches into the capillaries?
A
Arterioles.
4
Q
Out of the the blood vessels…
A
Capillaries are the smallest.
5
Q
Function of capillaries.
A
Substances eg glucose/oxygen are exchanged between cells and capillaries, so they’re adapted for efficient diffusion.
6
Q
Where are capillaries found?
A
Found very near cells in exchange tissue eg alveoli in lungs - short diffusion pathway.
7
Q
What makes capillaries great for diffusion?
A
Short diffusion pathway.
Their walls only one cell thick.
Large numbers of them to increase surface area.
8
Q
What are networks of capillaries called?
A
Capillary beds.
