What term describes widening of arteriolar blood vessels?

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Study the AQA A Level PE Test for The Cardiovascular System. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with explanations. Get ready for exam success!

Multiple Choice

What term describes widening of arteriolar blood vessels?

Explanation:
Widening of arteriolar blood vessels is known as vasodilation. When arterioles dilate, their diameter increases, which lowers vascular resistance and allows more blood to flow to the tissues. This helps meet higher metabolic demands (like during exercise or when heat needs to be dissipated). Local chemical signals and mediators—such as nitric oxide and various metabolites produced by tissues—often drive this process, and it can also occur with reduced sympathetic input. The opposite process is vasoconstriction (narrowing of arterioles). Venodilate and venoconstrict describe changes in the veins, not the arterioles.

Widening of arteriolar blood vessels is known as vasodilation. When arterioles dilate, their diameter increases, which lowers vascular resistance and allows more blood to flow to the tissues. This helps meet higher metabolic demands (like during exercise or when heat needs to be dissipated). Local chemical signals and mediators—such as nitric oxide and various metabolites produced by tissues—often drive this process, and it can also occur with reduced sympathetic input. The opposite process is vasoconstriction (narrowing of arterioles). Venodilate and venoconstrict describe changes in the veins, not the arterioles.

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