BIOD 152 Lab 4 Exam: Circulatory System –
Portage Learning 2025/2026 Edition – Actual
Exam Questions with Verified Answers – A+
Graded
SECTION 1: BLOOD VESSEL ANATOMY AND TYPES
(Questions 1-8)
Q1: [Basic] Arteries are referred to as which type of blood vessel in the circulatory
system?
A. Afferent vessels
B. Efferent vessels
C. Exchange vessels
D. Capacitance vessels
Rationale: Arteries carry blood away from the heart, making them efferent vessels (from
the Latin "efferre" meaning "to carry out"). Veins are afferent vessels (A) carrying blood
toward the heart. Capillaries (C) are exchange vessels where nutrient/gas exchange
occurs. Veins are also called capacitance vessels (D) because they hold approximately
54% of blood volume and can stretch to accommodate varying volumes.
,Q2: [Basic] Which type of artery is large enough to require elastic tissue to stretch and
recoil with each heartbeat?
A. Distributing arteries
B. Resistance arteries
C. Conducting arteries
D. Metarterioles
Rationale: Conducting arteries (such as the aorta and pulmonary trunk) are very large
arteries that exit the heart. They contain a thick layer of elastic tissue that allows them
to expand when blood surges from the heart during systole and recoil during diastole,
maintaining continuous blood flow. Distributing arteries (A) have thick muscular walls
for directing blood to specific organs. Resistance arteries (B) are small and numerous,
controlling blood flow distribution. Metarterioles (D) link arterioles to capillaries.
Q3: [Basic] What condition results when arteries lose elasticity due to plaque buildup,
leading to increased pressure and potential aneurysm formation?
A. Varicose veins
B. Atherosclerosis
C. Phlebitis
D. Thrombosis
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque (cholesterol, fatty substances,
cellular waste) in arteries, causing them to stiffen and lose elasticity. This results in
increased blood pressure and can lead to aneurysms—weak points in the arterial wall
, that may bulge and potentially rupture. Varicose veins (A) affect veins with weakened
valves. Phlebitis (C) is vein inflammation. Thrombosis (D) is abnormal clot formation
within vessels.
Q4: [Basic] Which blood vessels are known as "exchange vessels" due to their thin walls
that allow for nutrient and gas exchange?
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Capillaries
D. Venules
Rationale: Capillaries have extremely thin walls composed of a single layer of
endothelial cells (simple squamous epithelium) that permit the exchange of oxygen,
glucose, carbon dioxide, and other substances between blood and tissues. They
connect the smallest arteries (arterioles) to the smallest veins (venules). Their structure
maximizes surface area for efficient exchange.
Q5: [Basic] True or False: In a resting person, approximately 54% of the blood volume is
found in the veins.
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Veins are called capacitance vessels because they hold a large percentage of
the blood volume. In a resting individual, about 54% of blood is in the venous system,
compared to only about 11% in the arteries and 5% in capillaries. Veins have thinner
walls, larger lumens, and can stretch (distend) to accommodate more blood, serving as
a blood reservoir.
Portage Learning 2025/2026 Edition – Actual
Exam Questions with Verified Answers – A+
Graded
SECTION 1: BLOOD VESSEL ANATOMY AND TYPES
(Questions 1-8)
Q1: [Basic] Arteries are referred to as which type of blood vessel in the circulatory
system?
A. Afferent vessels
B. Efferent vessels
C. Exchange vessels
D. Capacitance vessels
Rationale: Arteries carry blood away from the heart, making them efferent vessels (from
the Latin "efferre" meaning "to carry out"). Veins are afferent vessels (A) carrying blood
toward the heart. Capillaries (C) are exchange vessels where nutrient/gas exchange
occurs. Veins are also called capacitance vessels (D) because they hold approximately
54% of blood volume and can stretch to accommodate varying volumes.
,Q2: [Basic] Which type of artery is large enough to require elastic tissue to stretch and
recoil with each heartbeat?
A. Distributing arteries
B. Resistance arteries
C. Conducting arteries
D. Metarterioles
Rationale: Conducting arteries (such as the aorta and pulmonary trunk) are very large
arteries that exit the heart. They contain a thick layer of elastic tissue that allows them
to expand when blood surges from the heart during systole and recoil during diastole,
maintaining continuous blood flow. Distributing arteries (A) have thick muscular walls
for directing blood to specific organs. Resistance arteries (B) are small and numerous,
controlling blood flow distribution. Metarterioles (D) link arterioles to capillaries.
Q3: [Basic] What condition results when arteries lose elasticity due to plaque buildup,
leading to increased pressure and potential aneurysm formation?
A. Varicose veins
B. Atherosclerosis
C. Phlebitis
D. Thrombosis
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque (cholesterol, fatty substances,
cellular waste) in arteries, causing them to stiffen and lose elasticity. This results in
increased blood pressure and can lead to aneurysms—weak points in the arterial wall
, that may bulge and potentially rupture. Varicose veins (A) affect veins with weakened
valves. Phlebitis (C) is vein inflammation. Thrombosis (D) is abnormal clot formation
within vessels.
Q4: [Basic] Which blood vessels are known as "exchange vessels" due to their thin walls
that allow for nutrient and gas exchange?
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Capillaries
D. Venules
Rationale: Capillaries have extremely thin walls composed of a single layer of
endothelial cells (simple squamous epithelium) that permit the exchange of oxygen,
glucose, carbon dioxide, and other substances between blood and tissues. They
connect the smallest arteries (arterioles) to the smallest veins (venules). Their structure
maximizes surface area for efficient exchange.
Q5: [Basic] True or False: In a resting person, approximately 54% of the blood volume is
found in the veins.
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Veins are called capacitance vessels because they hold a large percentage of
the blood volume. In a resting individual, about 54% of blood is in the venous system,
compared to only about 11% in the arteries and 5% in capillaries. Veins have thinner
walls, larger lumens, and can stretch (distend) to accommodate more blood, serving as
a blood reservoir.
