Asked by b

There are many factors that affect the rate of blood flow in the human body. Which statement correctly describes one of these factors and its effect on blood flow?

Higher blood viscosity decreases the resistance in the blood vessels and leads to faster blood flow.

Atherosclerosis causes plaque to build up on blood vessel walls, increasing resistance and decreasing blood flow.

The changing of the shape of red blood cells to a crescent shape decreases resistance and leads to faster blood flow.

Increased exercise may decrease the blood pressure leading to slower blood flow.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Atherosclerosis causes plaque to build up on blood vessel walls, increasing resistance and decreasing blood flow.

Explanation: Plaque narrows the vessel lumen, which raises resistance (resistance ∝ 1/r^4 for laminar flow), so blood flow through the narrowed segment falls. The other statements are incorrect: higher viscosity increases—not decreases—resistance; sickled (crescent) red cells increase blockage and resistance; and exercise typically raises cardiac output and local blood flow (not decreases blood pressure leading to slower flow).