Question

Explain the difference: Arteries and Veins.

Answer 1

Hint: Those blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart are known as arteries. The blood in arteries is normally oxygenated except the blood in pulmonary arteries. Those blood vessels which carry blood towards the heart are known as veins. Veins carry deoxygenated blood from tissues and organs back to the heart except the pulmonary and umbilical veins. These carry oxygenated blood towards the heart.

Complete answer:

Arteries	Veins
Main function is to carry oxygenated blood except for pulmonary arteries.	Main function is to carry deoxygenated blood except for pulmonary veins.
The walls of arteries are rigid, thicker and highly muscular and consist of three distinct layers.	The walls of veins are thinner and less muscular and consist of three distinct layers.
Arteries are located deep within the body.	Veins are located peripherally closer to skin.
Arteries are red in color.	Veins are blue in color.
The direction of blood flow is in the downward direction from the heart to the body tissues.	The direction of blood flow is in the upward direction from the body tissues to the heart.
Valves are absent in arteries.	Valves are present in veins.
Rate of pressure is high as the blood flows by pumping pressure on the heart.	Rate of blood pressure is low as the blood flows by the capillary action of the veins.

Note:
The smallest arteries known as arterioles are further branched into smaller capillaries, in which the exchange of all nutrients, gases and other waste molecules takes place. The four different types of veins found in the human body are: pulmonary veins, systemic veins, superficial veins and deep veins. Inferior vena cava is the largest vein in a human body. It carries blood to the heart from the lower half of the body.