Final answer:
The aorta is the largest artery and is crucial in supplying oxygenated blood to the entire body, which makes the statement that the aorta must supply blood to the entire body true.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aorta is indeed the largest artery in the body, arising from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down into the abdomen. Its primary role is to distribute oxygenated blood to virtually all tissues throughout the body. This is facilitated through its many branches that repeatedly subdivide, leading to smaller arteries called arterioles, which ultimately supply the systemic circulation.
Specifically, the aorta has several parts, including the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending aorta, which is composed of the thoracic and abdominal aorta. These segments ensure that blood is efficiently transported from the heart to the upper and lower regions of the body. Additionally, the aorta contains the aortic semilunar valve, which prevents the backflow of blood into the left ventricle during heart relaxation.
Therefore, to answer the student's question, statement a) 'The aorta must supply blood to the entire body' is true.