Final answer:
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They have thick walls and generally carry oxygen-rich blood. The largest artery is the aorta.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, making option c) Arteries the correct answer. Arteries have thick walls that can withstand the pressure of blood being pumped by the heart, and they generally carry oxygen-rich blood. The largest artery in the body is the aorta, which receives blood directly from the heart.
In contrast to arteries, veins (including the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava) carry blood toward the heart, and they generally transport deoxygenated blood. These vessels have valves that help prevent backflow of blood. The smallest veins, called venules, collect blood from capillaries and deliver it to larger veins.