Difference Between Blood and Lymph

Blood and Lymph are both are­ different, but two vital components of our bodie­s’ circulatory and immune systems. Blood starts in the bone­ marrow, made by a process called he­matopoiesis. It’s a living fluid connective tissue­, made of red and white blood ce­lls, platelets, and plasma. Blood travels around our bodie­s through arteries, veins, and little­ tubes called capillaries. It has many jobs like­ carrying oxygen, food, hormones, and waste. Also, it’s re­ally important for our immune system.

Lymph is differe­nt. It’s a clear or light yellow fluid that starts around cells in our tissue­s. The lymphatic system, a system of tube­s, nodes, and organs, collects lymph. Lymph comes back to the­ bloodstream, bringing extra fluid from around cells. It is also ve­ry important for our immune system. By looking at where­ blood and lymph come from, how they move around, and what the­y do, we can learn how they’re­ different but also work togethe­r. This helps us better unde­rstand our bodies’ health and balance.

Definition of Blood

One of the most important components of life is blood. It is a red coloured body fluid in the circulatory system of humans and other vertebrates. Blood delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the body cells, and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. Blood is pushed through the organism by the heart and blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Moreover, most blood is in the liquid form that contains several proteins and cells. Therefore, blood is certainly thicker than pure water.

Definition of Lymph

Lymph is a colorless fluid tissue composed of lymphocytes and white blood cells. This fluid flows through the lymphatic system, which is composed of lymph vessels and intervening lymph nodes. Lymph is produced when the interstitial fluid is collected through lymph capillaries. Lymph plays a vital role by transporting the white blood cells within the lymph nodes and bones, removing interstitial fluid from tissues, and fighting against the disease-causing and infectious bacteria invading the blood cells.

Difference between blood and lymph

More information on Blood

Composition of blood

• Red blood cells (RBCs) are the cells that transport oxygenated blood to our tissues and organs.
• White blood cells (WBC) are immune system cells that protect the body from getting infected.
• Platelets are also called thrombocytes are tiny pieces of cells rather than cells themselves. Platelets aid blood clotting
• Plasma A yellowish fluid that makes up the liquid component of blood, carrying water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products.

Circulatory system

The blood circulatory system is a system of organs that consists of the blood vessels, heart, and blood which is circulated throughout the entire body of a human or other vertebrate. The blood circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients to all cells in the body.

Function of blood

• Blood transports oxygen gas (O₂) and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂), between the lungs and the rest of the body. Blood transports nutrients from the digestive tract and storage sites to the rest of the body
• Waste products are carried by blood to liver and kidneys for being detoxified or removed
• Blood transports hormones from the glands in which they are produced to their target cells
• Maintamaintains balance by transferring water to and from tissues
• Regulates the body temperature

More information on Lymph

Composition

• Lymphocytes: It is a type of white blood cell that plays a central role in the immune response to foreign substances in the body
• Lymph Nodes: Small, bean-shaped masses of lymphoid tissue that serve as filter for the blood
• Lymphatic Vessels: Fine tube like structures that carry lymph and white blood cells throughout the body.

Lymphatic system

The subsystem of the circulatory system in the vertebrate body is the lymphatic system, consisting of a complex network of tissues, vessels, and organs. The lymphatic system helps maintain fluid balance by collecting excess fluid and particulate matter from tissues and depositing them in the bloodstream. It also supplys disease-fighting cells called lymphocytes thereby defend the body against infection.

Function of Lymph

• Collecting excess fluid from the body’s tissue and returning it to the bloodstream. This process supports healthy fluid levels in your body.
• Provide immunity by capturing the bacteria and bringing them to lymph nodes, where they are destroyed.
• Carries waste elements and excess fluid from the tissues in the body to its nodes where they are filtered
• Lymph helps in the transport of fat and absorption of fatty acids
• Helps in the production of immune cells- lymphocytes, monocytes, antibody-producing cells

FAQs on Difference Between Blood and Lymph

Write two differences between blood and lymph?

Blood is a thick red coloured fluid due to the presence of hemoglobin,, whereas lymph is a colorless fluid and part of the lymphatic system. Lymph is a belongs to the lymphatic system, whereas blood belongs to the circulatory system. Blood contains pigments which carry oxygen.

What is the direction of flow of lymph?

Lymph only moves in one direction, toward the heart

What lymph is composed of?

Lymph is composed of white blood cell (WBCs) and thus makes up the immune system of our body.

What is the color of the lymph?

The color of lymph is usually pale white or white. But lymph when found in capillaries, is usually yellow color. This is because the concentration of lymph in capillaries is high.