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The correct choice is based on the fundamental function of arteries in the circulatory system. Arteries are responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to various tissues and organs throughout the body. This process is essential because it delivers the vital oxygen and nutrients needed for cellular function and metabolism.

Arteries have thick, elastic walls that help withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped directly from the heart. This structural characteristic allows them to maintain blood pressure and ensures efficient transportation of blood. In contrast, capillaries are small vessels where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste occurs, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, and venules are small veins that collect blood from capillaries. Thus, arteries are uniquely adapted for the critical role of conveying blood away from the heart, making them the correct answer to this question.