Artery — Science definition
A vessel carrying blood away from the heart, with thick muscular walls for the pressure of each beat — defined by direction, not by oxygen content.
Where it is taught
- Circulatory & Respiratory Systems — Body Organization, Transport & Movement, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
In use
Blood leaves the heart in an artery, which has thick muscular walls to withstand the pressure of each beat.
Circulatory & Respiratory Systems
Questions using artery
Problem 1
Why is “every artery carries oxygen-rich blood” inaccurate?
Answer and explanation
Arteries are defined by direction from the heart; the lung-circuit artery carries blood toward gas exchange before it becomes oxygen-rich.
Problem 2
A vessel carries blood from the heart toward the lungs. Is it an artery or vein under the directional definition?
Answer and explanation
It is an artery because it carries blood away from the heart, regardless of its oxygen content before lung exchange.
Response criteria
- Explain the relevant biological process accurately.
- Use the supplied evidence and show calculation steps with units where needed.
- Connect a labeled model or mechanism with the claim.
- State an assumption, evidence limitation, or useful next observation.