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Cambridge O Level
Biology
Revision Notes

O Level Biology Cambridge Revision Notes

11. Transport in Humans 11.3 Blood Vessels
Blood Vessels

Blood Vessels
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Arteries, Veins & Capillaries

Arteries
Carry blood at high pressure away from
the heart
Carry oxygenated blood (other than the
pulmonary artery)
Have thick muscular walls containing
elastic fibres
Have a narrow lumen
The speed of flow is fast

Veins
Carry blood at low pressure towards the
heart
Carry deoxygenated blood (other than
the pulmonary vein)
Have thin walls
Have a large lumen
Contain valves (to prevent the backflow
of blood)
The speed of flow is slow

Comparison of Arteries and Veins Diagram

Comparing arteries and veins

Capillaries
Carry blood at low pressure within
tissues
Carry both oxygenated and
deoxygenated blood
Have walls that are one cell thick
Have ‘leaky’ walls
In some capillaries, the lumen is only wide
enough for red blood cells to pass
through in single-file
The speed of flow is slow

Structure of a capillary

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1. Cells

2. Classification

3. Movement into & out of Cells

4. Biological Molecules

5. Enzymes

6. Plant Nutrition

7. Transport in Flowering Plants

8. Human Nutrition

9. Human Gas Exchange

10. Respiration

11. Transport in Humans

11.1 Circulatory System

11.2 The Heart

11.3 Blood Vessels

Blood Vessels

Circulation Around the Body

Structure & Function of Blood Vessels

11.4 Blood

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13. Excretion in Humans

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19. Relationships of Organisms with …

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