Question

The lymphatic system is said to be the go-between or middle man between the blood and tissue. Explain

Answer 1

Hint: Lymph is produced by lymphoid organs and its constitution is similar to blood and helps in the transport of proteins, food, oxygen, carbon dioxide and wastes between blood and tissue. Lymph mainly consists of lymph plasma, lymph corpuscles and lymphoid organs.

Complete answer: Lymphatic system is composed of lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Lymph is the fluid that flows in the lymph vessels. Lymph emerges from the fluid in the interstices of body tissues and is gathered in lymph capillaries. It then reaches lymph nodes through lymph vessels. Lymphocytes in lymph nodes eliminate other substances from lymph and then it is poured in the right and left subclavian vein where it is mixed with venous blood. Lymph constitutes:
i. Lymph plasma which is similar to blood but has less calcium blood proteins and high glucose concentration.
ii. Lymph corpuscles: Mainly white blood cells are present i.e lymphocytes. Platelets and RBC are absent
iii. Lymphoid organs: Lymph secreting organs are called lymphoid organs examples are lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, thymus gland and Peyer’s patches.
Functions of lymph are:
i. Transport of lymphocytes and antibodies from lymph nodes to blood.
ii. Lymph destroys the foreign microbes in lymph nodes.
iii. The moisture of blood cells are maintained by lymph.
iv. It maintains the volume of blood.
v. Transport hormones from endocrine glands and plasma proteins from the liver to blood.
vi. Transport and absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins from the intestine.
It is called a middle man between blood and tissue as it transports hormones, oxygen food to the cells and brings carbon dioxide and wastes from cells to the blood, which is then transported to the venous system.

Note: Lymph is produced from interstitial fluid in lymph capillaries. It is a pale fluid that bathes the tissues of an organism, maintaining fluid balance, and removes bacteria from tissues; it enters the blood system by way of lymphatic channels and ducts.