Explain how arteries and veins differ in their structure and how this relates to their function? (4)

Arteries are vessels blood away from the heart whereas veins carry blood to the heart Arteries have thicker walls to cope with the higher pressure- muscle (contracts-to control blood flow) elastic (helps artery to expand)Veins have thinner walls with valves to prevent the backflow of deoxygenated blood Arteries have a narrow lumen, while veins have a wide lumen (use balloon analogy) Arteries transport oxygenated blood, except for the pulmonary artery, while veins transport deoxygenated blood, except for the pulmonary vein