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

Which type of vessel needs to withstand high blood pressure?

1. Vein

2. Capillary

3. Artery

4. Venule

The correct answer is: Artery

The correct choice is the artery, as arteries are the blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body. Due to their role in this high-pressure system, arteries must have thick, muscular, and elastic walls that can endure and accommodate the significant pressure exerted by the heart's contractions. This resilience allows arteries to maintain the flow of blood and regulate blood pressure effectively. In contrast, veins operate under much lower pressure as they return deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Their walls are thinner and more flexible to handle the lesser pressure. Capillaries, the smallest blood vessels, facilitate the exchange of gases and nutrients between blood and tissues, and their structure is not designed to withstand high pressure; they rely on a single layer of cells to facilitate this exchange. Venules, which are small veins that collect blood from capillaries, also experience low pressure as they transport blood back to larger veins and toward the heart. Therefore, the need for high-pressure resistance is unique to arteries within the circulatory system.