What are the five major types of blood vessels in the human circulatory system, and what is the primary function of each?
The five major types of blood vessels are: (1) Arteries, which carry blood away from the heart; (2) Arterioles, which are small arteries that lead to capillaries; (3) Capillaries, which are the smallest vessels and facilitate the exchange of gases and nutrients with tissues; (4) Venules, which collect blood from capillaries; and (5) Veins, which carry blood back to the heart.