What are the microscopic ends of arteries known as?

The microscopic ends of arteries are known as arterioles. Arterioles are small blood vessels that branch out from arteries and lead to capillaries. They play a crucial role in regulating blood flow and pressure by constricting or dilating, thus affecting how much blood enters the capillary beds, where nutrient and gas exchange occurs.

Capillaries, on the other hand, are the smallest blood vessels in the body and are responsible for the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and surrounding tissues. They are not the ends of arteries, but rather the vessels that connect arterioles to venules, allowing for this vital exchange.

Understanding the function and structure of these blood vessels is essential in fields such as biology and medicine, as it highlights how the circulatory system maintains homeostasis and provides tissues with the necessary substances for survival.