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Multiple Choice
What is unique about blood in pulmonary arteries compared with blood in other arteries?
A
Blood in pulmonary arteries is always blue; it is red in all other arteries.
B
It is moving away from the heart.
C
It is moving toward the heart.
D
There is no difference; it is the same as blood in other arteries.
E
It is loaded with carbon dioxide.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the function of arteries: Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. In most cases, arteries carry oxygenated blood, except for the pulmonary arteries.
Identify the role of pulmonary arteries: The pulmonary arteries are unique because they carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.
Recognize the difference in blood content: Unlike other arteries, the blood in pulmonary arteries is rich in carbon dioxide and low in oxygen because it is returning from the body and has not yet been re-oxygenated in the lungs.
Clarify the misconception about blood color: Blood is never actually blue; it appears blue through the skin due to the way light penetrates and reflects off the skin. In reality, deoxygenated blood is a darker red.
Conclude with the correct understanding: The unique aspect of blood in pulmonary arteries is that it is loaded with carbon dioxide, which is different from the oxygen-rich blood found in other arteries.