Capillaries have thin walls that help them perform their main function - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 17 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 17
Capillaries have thin walls that help them perform their main function.
The best explanation for this is that
(A) capillaries are the smallest vessels in the body.... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Capillaries have thin walls that help them perform their main function - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 17 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
B) thin walls are an adaptation that help diffusion.
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Answer
Thin walls in capillaries facilitate the process of diffusion, which is crucial for the efficient exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) and nutrients between the blood and surrounding tissues. Since capillaries are the smallest blood vessels, their thin walls minimize the distance that these substances must travel, thereby enhancing the speed and efficiency of diffusion. This structural adaptation is essential for maintaining cellular respiration and overall metabolic processes in living organisms.