Understanding Capillary Function: How Blood Flows Through the Smallest Vessels
Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels, enabling oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange between blood and tissues via their ultra-thin walls.
- Blood enters from arterioles (higher pressure) → forced through capillaries.
- Oxygen diffuses from blood (via hemoglobin) to tissues; CO₂ diffuses from tissues to blood (via plasma).
- Blood exits to venules (lower pressure) → slow flow → merges into veins → returns to heart.
This gas exchange is vital for homeostasis and life.
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