How does lymph differ from interstitial fluid?

How does lymph differ from interstitial fluid?

• A. Lymph has a higher protein count than interstitial fluid.
• B. Lymph has a lower protein count than interstitial fluid.
• C. Lymph carries more glucose.
• D. Lymph has fewer immune cells.

Answer: (D)

Lymph is the drainage fluid that forms when interstitial fluid enters lymphatic capillaries and begins its journey through the lymphatic system. Because many immune cells in tissues stay behind or are filtered out in lymph nodes, the fluid circulating in lymphatics between nodes is relatively low in cellular content. In short, lymph carries fewer immune cells than the interstitial fluid that bathes tissues. The other ideas aren’t the defining difference: interstitial fluid and lymph are both low in protein relative to blood plasma, glucose transport isn’t the distinguishing feature, and interstitial fluid can contain immune cells in tissues even though lymph itself is more cell-poor.

Lymph is the drainage fluid that forms when interstitial fluid enters lymphatic capillaries and begins its journey through the lymphatic system. Because many immune cells in tissues stay behind or are filtered out in lymph nodes, the fluid circulating in lymphatics between nodes is relatively low in cellular content. In short, lymph carries fewer immune cells than the interstitial fluid that bathes tissues. The other ideas aren’t the defining difference: interstitial fluid and lymph are both low in protein relative to blood plasma, glucose transport isn’t the distinguishing feature, and interstitial fluid can contain immune cells in tissues even though lymph itself is more cell-poor.