Artery function.

Artery function.

• A. Carry deoxygenated blood to the heart.
• B. Exchange nutrients with tissues.
• C. Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.
• D. Regulate blood pressure via valves.

Answer: (C)

Arteries move blood away from the heart, and in the systemic circulation this blood is oxygenated, making the description of carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart a correct general one. A helpful nuance: the pulmonary artery is an exception, carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. Nutrient and gas exchange happens at capillaries, not within arteries, and valves are found in veins to prevent backflow, not in arteries.

Arteries move blood away from the heart, and in the systemic circulation this blood is oxygenated, making the description of carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart a correct general one. A helpful nuance: the pulmonary artery is an exception, carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. Nutrient and gas exchange happens at capillaries, not within arteries, and valves are found in veins to prevent backflow, not in arteries.