Understanding the difference between blood and lymph is important for students if they wish to pursue medical science. Simply speaking, blood is a red colour liquid with red blood cells, while lymph is a colourless liquid without the red blood cells. This article will also help you understand the difference between blood circulatory system and lymphatic system.
Definition of Blood
Blood refers to a constantly circulating fluid that provides the body with oxygen, nutrition, and waste removal. Furthermore, most blood is in the liquid form containing several proteins and cells. As such, blood is certainly thicker than pure water.
Definition of Lymph
Lymph refers to a colourless fluid that contains lymphocytes, the white blood cells. Furthermore, the white blood cells are responsible for attacking the bacteria that enters the body. Also, lymph is a slightly alkaline coagulable fluid that bathes the various tissues of the body.
Difference Between Blood and Lymph
Difference between Blood and Lymph
Important difference between blood and lymph
| Parameter | Blood | Lymph |
| Description | Specialized body fluid in organisms that transports oxygen and nutrients to various parts and carries away waste products | A clear fluid that flows via the lymphatic system and it returns excess interstitial fluid and proteins to the blood stream |
| Circulation System | The blood circulation system comprises arteries, blood, veins, and heart | The lymphatic system comprises lymph, lymph nodes, lymph capillaries, and lymph vessels |
| Colour | Red | Colourless |
| Flow | Blood flows in the blood vessels with a fast and circular motion | Lymph flows within the lymphatic system slowly in a single direction |
| Function | Transportation of oxygen and nutrients towards organs, carrying waste materials, regulating body temperature | Transportation of soluble fats, vitamins, etc. Returns excess interstitial fluid and proteins to the bloodstream, stores lymphocytes. |
| Essential materials | It has calcium, proteins, and phosphorus | It has fewer proteins, calcium, and phosphorus in comparison |
| Purification | Its purification takes place in the kidneys | Its purification takes place in lymph nodes |
| Clotting | Blood clots rapidly due to fibrinogen | Lymph clots slowly due to less amount of fibrinogen |
| Diseases | Blood diseases include polycythemia, thalassemia, and anaemia | Lymph diseases include lymphedema, lymphoma, and lymphadenitis |
More Details about Blood
An average human has about 5 litres of blood which is more than a gallon. Furthermore, plasma is a liquid that makes up about half of the blood’s content. Moreover, plasma consists of proteins that help in the clotting of blood, transportation of substances, and various other functions.
Blood cells make up about half of the volume of blood. The red blood cells transport oxygen while the white blood cells are effective in fighting infections. Also, there are smaller cells known as platelets which are useful in clotting the blood.
The conducting of blood takes place through blood vessels- arteries and veins. Furthermore, there is the prevention of the clotting of blood in blood vessels due to their smoothness and the perfect balance of clotting factors. Moreover, blood with a pH of below 7.35 is said to be too acidic by experts.
More Details about Lymph
Simply speaking, the difference between blood and lymph is that lymph, unlike blood, is colourless and it is a return fluid from tissues to the central circulation. Furthermore, interstitial fluid is present between the cells in the various tissues and it enters the lymph capillaries. Moreover, the transportation of this lymphatic fluid takes place through progressively larger lymphatic vessels via the lymph nodes.
The composition of lymph continually changes as the surrounding cells and blood cells exchange substances. This exchange of substances takes place with the interstitial fluid. Most noteworthy, lymph returns proteins as well as the excess interstitial fluid to the bloodstream.
The composition of lymph is similar to blood plasma but is not identical to it. Furthermore, lymph, when it leaves the lymph node, is richer in lymphocytes in comparison to the blood plasma.
FAQs about Blood and Lymph
Question 1: State any one difference between blood and lymph?
Answer 1: One difference between blood and lymph is that the former is red in colour while the latter is colourless.
Question 2: What is the function of lymph in the body?
Answer 2: The function of lymph is that it facilitates the transportation of soluble fats, vitamins, etc. Moreover, it also returns excessive interstitial fluid and proteins to the bloodstream. Lymph also stores lymphocytes.
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