Q 1. What does it mean that arteries are pressure reservoirs , and how does that contribute to blood flow?
2. Explain how blood vessel diameter affects flow resistance.
1. Arteries are blood vessels that have the highest flow rate and they have the largest in diameter .Elastic arteries acts as a pressure reservoirs as the arteries can expand or contract as blood is ejected from the heart . This blood pressure in the reservoirs causes the blood flow to be continuous . The smooth muscle of the artery can constrict or relax and thereby the diameter of the artery can be changed. The pumping action of the heart propels the blood into the arteries and the thick elasticity of the arteries maintains the blood flow.