OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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Get ready for the OCR GCSE Biology exam with our comprehensive quiz, featuring flashcards and multiple choice questions. Understand the exam format, key topics, and effective study strategies to excel.

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What is the primary function of arteries?

To absorb excess blood
To carry blood away from the heart
To filter blood
To transport oxygenated blood back to the heart

The correct answer is: To carry blood away from the heart

The primary function of arteries is to carry blood away from the heart. This is a fundamental role in the circulatory system, where arteries serve as the pathways through which oxygen-rich blood is delivered from the heart to various tissues and organs throughout the body. When the heart pumps, it generates pressure that forces blood into the arteries, which are designed to withstand high pressure due to their thick, elastic walls. This elasticity helps maintain the blood pressure and ensures efficient transport. While veins carry blood back to the heart and have other specialized functions, the unique structure of arteries, including their muscular and elastic properties, allows them specifically to facilitate this crucial role of blood distribution away from the heart. Other choices mention functions that are more relevant to veins or other parts of the circulatory system, like filtering, which is primarily done by the kidneys, or absorbing excess blood, which does not accurately reflect the role of arteries. Similarly, transporting oxygenated blood back to the heart is the function of veins, not arteries.