Explain how the structure of an artery makes it well suited to carrying blood away from the heart.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Arteries carry blood from the heart to the body's organs. The blood in arteries is under high pressure as a result of the heart's pumping action.
Model answer (5 marks)
Arteries have a thick muscular wall, which can withstand the high pressure generated by the heart and prevents the vessel from bursting.
The wall also contains elastic fibres that allow the artery to stretch when blood is pumped in and then recoil, which smooths out pressure surges and helps maintain continuous blood flow.
Because the lumen of an artery is relatively narrow, the high pressure is maintained as the blood moves away from the heart.
The combination of a thick, muscular wall, elastic tissue and a small lumen makes arteries well suited to carrying blood away from the heart.
The wall also contains elastic fibres that allow the artery to stretch when blood is pumped in and then recoil, which smooths out pressure surges and helps maintain continuous blood flow.
Because the lumen of an artery is relatively narrow, the high pressure is maintained as the blood moves away from the heart.
The combination of a thick, muscular wall, elastic tissue and a small lumen makes arteries well suited to carrying blood away from the heart.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms: thick muscular wall, elastic fibres, narrow lumen. Explain how each feature helps with high pressure or smooth flow. Show the link between structure and function for full marks.
Common mistakes
- Confusing veins for arteries. Forgetting to mention the elastic fibres or the narrow lumen. Using vague words like "strong" instead of "thick muscular wall".
Mark scheme (5 marks)
- Arteries have a thick muscular wall / thick wall overall
- The thick muscular wall withstands / maintains the high blood pressure (without bursting)
- Arteries have elastic fibres / elastic tissue in their walls
- The elastic fibres allow the artery wall to stretch and recoil / spring back as blood is pumped through, maintaining blood flow / smoothing out pressure surges
- Arteries have a narrow lumen / small lumen which helps maintain high blood pressure
Key terms in this question
Related
- All Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
More Mass transport in animals questions
- Explain how the structure of red blood cells makes them well suited to carrying …
- Explain how the structure of a capillary makes it well suited to exchanging subs…
- Explain how the structure of a vein makes it well suited to returning blood to t…
- Explain why the human circulatory system is described as a 'double circulatory s…