Here the blood gives up its carbon dioxide and takes on oxygen. In the special capillaries of the kidneys, the blood gives up many waste products in the formation of urine. Capillary beds are also the sites where white blood cells are able to leave the blood and defend the body against harmful invaders. Capillaries are so small that when you look at blood flowing through them under a microscope, the cells have to pass through in single file. As the capillaries begin to thicken and merge, they become venules.
Venules eventually become veins and head back to the heart.
Veins do not have as many elastic fibers as arteries. Veins do have valves, which keep the blood from pooling and flowing back to the legs under the influence of gravity. When these valves break down, as often happens in older or inactive people, the blood does flow back and pool in the legs. The result is varicose veins, which often appear as large purplish tubes in the lower legs. Info Tool Provides in-depth,professional business information on biotech companies.