Question

As blood passes through the capillary bed in an organ, the capillaries join to form venules (small veins). If the blood speed increases by a factor of 4.00 and the total cross-sectional area of the venules is 10.0 cm², what is the total cross-sectional area of the capillaries feeding these venules?

A) 0.625 cm²
B) 1.25 cm²
C) 2.50 cm²
D) 5.00 cm²

Answer 1

The total cross-sectional area of the capillaries feeding the venules is 2.50 cm².

Step-by-step explanation:

The blood velocity in capillaries is determined by the total cross-sectional area of the capillaries. We know that the blood speed increases by a factor of 4.00 as it passes from capillaries to venules. The total cross-sectional area of the venules is given as 10.0 cm².

To find the total cross-sectional area of the capillaries feeding these venules, we need to divide the total cross-sectional area of the venules by 4.00. This gives us the total cross-sectional area of the capillaries feeding the venules as 2.50 cm² (Option C).