Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

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Which of the following is true about veins?

They carry blood away from the heart
They carry blood towards the heart
They contain oxygen-rich blood
They have thick muscular walls

The correct answer is: They carry blood towards the heart

Veins are blood vessels that play a crucial role in the circulatory system by carrying blood towards the heart. This characteristic is fundamental to their function as they collect deoxygenated blood from various parts of the body and bring it back to the heart for re-oxygenation in the lungs. The structure of veins supports this function; they have thinner walls compared to arteries, as they do not need to withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped directly from the heart. Instead, veins are equipped with valves that prevent the backflow of blood, ensuring that it flows in one direction towards the heart. The other choices, such as carrying blood away from the heart, containing oxygen-rich blood, or having thick muscular walls, refer to the characteristics of arteries, which serve a different function by delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.