What is the Difference Between Lymph and Blood?

The main differences between lymph and blood are their composition, circulation, and functions. Here are the key differences:

1. Composition: Blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and a fluid called plasma. Lymph, on the other hand, is composed of white blood cells and a watery fluid. Blood plasma contains proteins, calcium, and phosphorus, while lymph plasma lacks proteins.
2. Circulation: Blood circulates inside blood vessels, while lymph flows through lymphatic vessels. Blood flows faster compared to lymph, which moves at a very slow pace.
3. Functions: Both blood and lymph have circulatory and immune functions, but they serve different purposes. Blood is involved in transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body, while lymph is responsible for supplying nutrients to the body, removing metabolic wastes from tissue cells, maintaining the composition of tissue fluid, and helping in invading the entry of pathogenic infections caused by microbes.
4. Formation of Clots: Blood clots quickly due to the presence of more fibrinogen, while lymph clots slowly because of the presence of less fibrinogen.
5. Location: Blood is found in blood vessels, while lymph is found mostly in the intercellular spaces of tissues.

Comparative Table: Lymph vs Blood

Here is a table comparing the differences between blood and lymph:

Blood is a red-colored fluid composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and a liquid element called plasma. It is primarily associated with the transportation of nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, waste products, hormones, and enzymes throughout the body.

On the other hand, lymph is a colorless fluid made up of 96% water and 4% solids, and it is composed of white blood cells and a watery fluid. Lymph is mostly associated with the body's defense system and helps in strengthening the immune response. Some of the main functions of lymph include supplying nutrients to the body, removing metabolic wastes from tissue cells, maintaining the composition of tissue fluid, and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and other digested fat molecules from the small intestine through the lymphatic vessels.