While listening to someone's heart, a doctor discovers that the "lub" sound is weaker than the "dubb" sound. What might this clue suggest about the functioning of the heart valves?

This clue suggests that the heart valves functions to prevent the backward flow of blood.

Explanation:

The "lubb" sound is produced when the atrioventricular valves in the heart close. These valves are deep inside the heart and are between the upper (atrial) and lower (ventricular) chambers. The "dupp" sound is produced when the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary) close. The valves close to prevent backflow from the blood ejected from the ventricles

The heart valve is slower than the lub and the sound need to increase