The passage of oxygen and nutrients to the body cells takes place at the:

A) capillaries.
B) arterioles.
C) venules.
D) carotids

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body, and they are responsible for exchanging oxygen and nutrients with cells in tissues throughout the body. Arterioles and venules are larger blood vessels that branch off from arteries and veins, respectively. While they play a role in directing blood flow, they do not perform the same function as capillaries. Carotids are major arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain, but they do not directly facilitate the passage of oxygen and nutrients to body cells.