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
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing6%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 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
May 2024Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ225[ 1 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
November 2021Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ04(a)[ 3 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
November 2020Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ025[ 1 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
November 2020Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ02(c)[ 3 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
November 2018Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ04(b)[ 3 ]B3.2.3—Artery adaptations
Practice this objective
Coverage 2010–2024 · 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.