What type of blood do arteries typically carry?

Arteries are primarily responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to various tissues and organs in the body. This is essential because oxygen is crucial for cellular respiration and energy production in cells. The only exception to this general rule is the pulmonary arteries, which carry oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. However, in the context of the systemic circulation—where most arteries operate—oxygen-rich blood is the standard.

In terms of the other options, while oxygen-poor blood does circulate through certain vessels, it is primarily found in veins rather than arteries. Carbon-dioxide-rich blood, which is also typically carried by veins, does not adequately describe what arteries transport under normal circumstances. Though nutrient-rich blood does flow through arteries, the defining characteristic of arterial blood in terms of what differentiates it from venous blood is its oxygen content. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the primary function of arteries in the circulatory system: conveying oxygen-rich blood.