a Bio question

[sherry225]

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which structure has the greatest resistance to blood flow?

answer: arterioles.

I think I remember reading about this in the campbell book. Does anyone remember where it is? I just couldn't find that page to find out the reasoning behind it. Or if anyone understand this question please help me.


Thanks for the help

 

[Sprgrover]

Take a moment to think abou what the question is asking. Most people make the mistake of assuming the answer is the capillaries - after all they are the smallest vessels and thus it seems would have the greatest resistance. However capillaries also have the thinnest walls of any of the vessles and are often only one cell thick. Blood rushing through them at a high pressure would shread them in no time and you would hemorrage to death. Restistance goes hand in hand with a decrease in pressure. Since blood must be slowed to a trickle before entering any capillary network, and the smallest vessels preceeding the capillaries are the arterioles, it is here that the resistance is the highest. This answer is contained within many biology books and a cursory search online will yield many results.

 

[sherry225]

Thanks for your help! 🙂