Question 1: Define the three main types of blood vessels and describe their primary functions.

Answer: Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart, veins carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart, and capillaries facilitate the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues.

Question 2: Explain how the structure of arteries differs from that of veins and why.

Answer: Arteries have thicker, more elastic walls to withstand high pressure from the heart's pumping action, whereas veins have thinner walls and valves to prevent backflow under lower pressure.

Question 3: Calculate the blood flow rate if a capillary network receives 0.5 litres of blood per minute and contains 10,000 capillaries. Express your answer in millilitres per second per capillary.

Answer: Flow per capillary = 0.5 litres / 10,000 capillaries = 0.00005 litres = 50 millilitres per minute. Per second: 50/60 ≈ 0.83 millilitres/sec. Per capillary: 0.83/10,000 ≈ 0.000083 ml/sec.

Question 4: Describe a practical experiment to measure blood pressure in arteries. Outline the variables involved and safety precautions.

Answer: Students can use a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope to measure systolic and diastolic pressure in an artery, such as the brachial artery. Variables include cuff size, inflation rate, and position of the arm. Safety precautions involve ensuring the cuff is not inflated excessively to avoid discomfort or injury, and the student should be seated comfortably at rest during measurement.

Question 5: Interpret the following scenario: If a patient’s blood vessel analysis shows narrowed arteries, what potential health issues could arise?

Answer: Narrowed arteries can lead to reduced blood flow, increasing the risk of conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart attacks.

Question 6: Multiple Choice: Which of the following features is most characteristic of capillaries?

Answer: C) Thin walls to facilitate exchange

Question 7: Fill in the blank: The process by which oxygen and nutrients pass from the blood in capillaries into tissues is called ________.

Answer: diffusion

Question 8: Explain how blood vessel health can be maintained through lifestyle choices. Include at least three factors.

Answer: Maintaining blood vessel health involves regular exercise to improve circulation, a balanced diet low in saturated fats and high in fibre to prevent blockages, avoiding smoking which damages vessel walls, and managing stress to prevent hypertension.

Question 9: Discuss the impact of high cholesterol levels on blood vessels and potential consequences.

Answer: High cholesterol can lead to plaque formation in arteries, causing narrowing and hardening (atherosclerosis), which increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.

Question 10: Describe how technological advances have improved the diagnosis and treatment of blood vessel diseases.

Answer: Advances such as Doppler ultrasound, angiography, and stent technology allow for non-invasive diagnosis of blockages and vessel damage, enabling earlier intervention. Treatments like minimally invasive surgery and drug therapies have improved patient outcomes and reduced recovery times.