B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
Arteries withstand and maintain high-pressure blood flow using thick collagen-rich walls, smooth muscle layers, elastic recoil and relatively narrow lumens.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- B3.2.3
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2024
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–3
Common command terms
- Identify
- Explain
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Saying arteries pump blood by themselves rather than explaining elastic recoil after ventricular contraction.
Recent exam appearances
November 2024Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ022[ 1 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
May 2021Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ120[ 1 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
November 2020Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ02(c)[ 3 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
November 2014Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ01(c)[ 2 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
Practice this objective
Coverage 2014–2024 · Updated 15 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Thick collagen-rich artery walls resist rupture under high pressure.
- Elastic fibres stretch and recoil to maintain flow between heartbeats.
- Smooth muscle can change vessel diameter and help regulate blood distribution.
- A narrow lumen helps maintain arterial pressure.