What is the difference between an artery and a vein? An artery carries blood away from the heart; a vein carries blood to the heart. An artery is responsible for carrying blood; a vein is responsible for gas exchange. An artery is responsible for gas exchange; a vein is responsible for carrying blood. An artery carries blood to the heart; a vein carries blood away from the heart.
A) An artery carries blood away from the heart; a vein carries blood to the heart. Actually neither arteries nor veins are responsible for gas exchange, only the tiniest thin-walled vessels do- they are called capillaries.
