As arteries get further away from the heart, several changes occur:
1) Decreased diameter: Arteries gradually decrease in diameter as they branch out and supply blood to various parts of the body. This is due to the branching nature of the arterial system.
2) Decreased elasticity: Arteries become less elastic as they get further away from the heart. Elasticity is highest in the largest arteries near the heart, such as the aorta, and gradually decreases in the smaller arteries.
3) Increased branching: Arteries divide into smaller branches known as arterioles as they move away from the heart. These arterioles further divide into even smaller vessels called capillaries, which are responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
4) Increased resistance: As arteries branch and become smaller, the total cross-sectional area of the arterial system increases. This leads to increased resistance to blood flow, as the same amount of blood has to pass through a larger total area. This increased resistance helps regulate blood pressure and ensures adequate perfusion of tissues.
Overall, these changes in arteries as they move away from the heart are important for distributing oxygenated blood to various organs and tissues throughout the body.