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What structural features of capillaries make them well suited for their function of nourishing body tissues and removing waste products?
To review:
The characteristics of capillaries that enable them to nourish corresponding body tissues and to remove waste from them.
Introduction:
The human circulatory system is associated with the transportation of nutrients and gases throughout the body and it has a proper channel to perform this function. There are various structures associated with this channel and the smallest structures are known as the capillaries.
Explanation of Solution
The smallest blood vessels in the human body are capillaries with a diameter of 8 – 10 micrometers. The capillaries possess gaps of unjointed endothelial cells along with tight junctions. These gaps enable gaseous exchange and transportation across the capillaries. The gap junctions are of variable size and number in various kinds of capillaries enabling their proper functioning at respective locations.
Capillaries provide necessary nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and in turn eliminate carbon dioxide and nitrogenous waste products deposited in them. Some capillaries in the lungs enable oxygen to enter into the blood. Capillaries in small intestine receive the digested food. The capillaries present in the kidneys help to eliminate nitrogenous waste products.
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Chapter 20 Solutions
Human Anatomy
- Which of the following statements concerning capillaries is TRUE? A) Capillaries are composed of a single layer of endothelial cells surrounded by a basement membrane B) Thoroughfare channels drain directly into venules C) Metarterioles branch directly off arterioles D) Both A & B All of the abovearrow_forwardHow do the structures of arteries, veins, capillaries, and lymphatics differ, and how do these differences reflect the functions of each?arrow_forwardWhat is the main function of capillaries? What are the three kinds of capillaries?arrow_forward
- When it comes to arteries and veins, do veins have? a) a tunica media that is missing in arteries b) thicker walls than arteries c) more smooth muscles than arteries d) valves, this is lacking in arteriesarrow_forwardWhat force is responsible for moving fluids out of capillaries at the arteriole end and moving fluids back into the capillary at the venule end? What happens to fluids that do not re-enter the capillaries?arrow_forwardHow is the anatomy of capillaries and capillary beds well suited to their function?arrow_forward
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage Learning