Human Biology, 14 Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 1-25924-574-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-25924-574-9

Chapter 5 - Section 5.4 - Features of a Cardiovascular System - Check Your Progress - Page 102: 2

Answer

Blood pressure is highest at the point where blood is pushed from the blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure. The lowest pressure of the blood in the arteries is when the ventricles are relaxing. This is called diastolic pressure. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure both decrease as blood moves away from the left ventricle. Blood moves more slowly through the capillaries than it does through the arteries. It is important that blood moves slowly through the capillaries so that substances can be exchanged between the blood and capillaries and provide nutrients to tissues throughout the body. The velocity of blood flow increases as the blood travels from the capillaries to the veins. This is the result of blood moving from a narrow pathway to a wider pathway. Regardless of the increased velocity of the blood flow, blood pressure is at it's lowest point as the blood travels through the veins and back to the heart.

Work Step by Step

Blood pressure is highest at the point where blood is pushed from the blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure. The lowest pressure of the blood in the arteries is when the ventricles are relaxing. This is called diastolic pressure. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure both decrease as blood moves away from the left ventricle. Blood moves more slowly through the capillaries than it does through the arteries. It is important that blood moves slowly through the capillaries so that substances can be exchanged between the blood and capillaries and provide nutrients to tissues throughout the body. The velocity of blood flow increases as the blood travels from the capillaries to the veins. This is the result of blood moving from a narrow pathway to a wider pathway. Regardless of the increased velocity of the blood flow, blood pressure is at it's lowest point as the blood travels through the veins and back to the heart.
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