Blood vessels — Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science
How the structures of arteries, veins and capillaries are related to their functions and to the pressure of the blood inside them.
Revision notes
1 short note, in the order of the specification. Each one in short:
Arteries have thick walls for high pressure, veins have thin walls and valves, and capillaries are one cell thick for exchange of substances.
Exam questions
3 exam-style questions (8 marks), each with its mark scheme.
Answer the questionsFlashcards
3 cards: flip them, mark what you knew, and practise the rest.
Practise the cardsMind map
The whole of transport in animals on one page, so you can see where this subtopic fits.
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Quick check questions
Which blood vessels have valves?
Show answer
Veins.
Supplement Why do arteries have thick walls?
Show answer
They carry blood at high pressure, so the walls must withstand it.
Written and checked against the Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) specification · Updated October 2026