Learn the difference between blood and lymph. The basis of comparison include: Description, color, circulatory system, function, the flow, nutrient and waste products, purification, clotting, visibility, diseases, components and movements.
The Difference
Description
Blood is a specialized body fluid in humans and other animals that transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells and carries away carbon dioxide and other waste products.
Lymph is a clear fluid that flows through the lymphatic system whose main function is to return proteins and excess interstitial fluid to the blood stream.
Color
Blood is red in color whereas lymph is colorless.
Circulation System
Blood circulation system consist of blood, arteries, veins and heart while the lymphatic system consist of lymph, lymph capillaries, lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
Function
Function of Blood Includes:
- Transport of nutrients and oxygen from one organ to another.
- Transport digested food materials, respiratory gases and waste materials.
- Regulation of body temperature
Function of Blood Includes:
- Transport digested soluble fat, vitamins and other materials.
- Storage of lymphocytes
- Carries absorbed fats and lips from small intestine to the blood in the form of droplets known as chylomicrons.
The Flow
The flow of blood in the blood vessels is fast and in circular motion while the flow of lymph within the lymphatic system is slow and in single direction.
Nutrient and Waste Products
Blood contains more nutrients and wastes. Lymph on the other hand, contains fewer nutrients and wastes.
Proteins and other mineral elements
Blood plasma has proteins, calcium and phosphorus whereas lymph’s plasma has fewer proteins, less calcium and less phosphorus.
Purification
Purification of blood happens in the kidneys whereas the purification of lymph happens in the lymph nodes. In the kidneys, the waste products and excess products are removed from blood and once this happens, the essential liquid and blood is returned to the cardiovascular system. In the lymph nodes, lymph is purified by killing pathogens and removing most of the waste products.
Clotting
Blood clots rapidly due to the presence of fibrinogen. Lymph on the other hand, clots slowly due to the presence of less fibrinogen.
Movement
Movement of blood in the body is due to the pumping mechanism of the heart whereas; the movement of lymph throughout the body is due to the normal functioning of the body.
Components
The components of blood and lymph vary greatly. Lymph contains plasma and lesser number of white blood cells and platelets. On the contrary, blood contains plenty of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
Description
Blood is the main transporting fluid of the body while lymph is the parallel transporting fluid, which connects tissue fluid to the circulatory system.
Visibility
Blood can visibly be seen in case of damage or injury to the vessels whereas lymph cannot be observed with naked eyes.
Diseases
Diseases of Blood include anemia, polycythemia, and thalassemia whereas the diseases of the lymph include lymphade, lymphede and lymphoma.
| POINTS OF DIFFERENCE | BLOOD | LYMPH |
| Description | Blood is a specialized body fluid in humans and other animals that transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells and carries away carbon dioxide and other waste products. | Lymph is a clear fluid that flows through the lymphatic system whose main function is to return proteins and excess interstitial fluid to the blood stream. |
| Color | Blood is red in color. | Lymph is colorless. |
| Circulation System | Blood circulation system consists of blood, arteries, veins and heart. | The lymphatic system consists of lymph, lymph capillaries, lymph nodes and lymph vessels. |
| Function | Function of Blood Includes: Transport of nutrients and oxygen from one organ to another.Transport digested food materials, respiratory gases and waste materials.Regulation of body temperature | Function of Blood Includes: Transport digested soluble fat, vitamins and other materials.Storage of lymphocytes Carries absorbed fats and lips from small intestine to the blood in the form of droplets known as chylomicrons. |
| The Flow | The flow of blood in the blood vessels is fast and in circular motion. | The flow of lymph within the lymphatic system is slow and in single direction. |
| Nutrients and Waste Products | Blood contains more nutrients and wastes. | Lymph on the other hand, contains fewer nutrients and wastes. |
| Protein and Mineral Elements | Blood plasma has proteins, calcium and phosphorus. | Lymph’s plasma has fewer proteins, less calcium and less phosphorus. |
| Purification | Purification of blood happens in the kidneys. | The purification of lymph happens in the lymph nodes. |
| Clotting | Blood clots rapidly due to the presence of fibrinogen. | Lymph clots slowly due to the presence of less fibrinogen. |
| Movements | Movement of blood in the body is due to the pumping mechanism of the heart. | The movement of lymph throughout the body is due to the normal functioning of the body. |
| Components | Blood contains plenty of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. | Lymph contains plasma and lesser number of white blood cells and platelets. |
| Description | Blood is the main transporting fluid of the body. | Lymph is the parallel transporting fluid, which connects tissue fluid to the circulatory system. |
| Visibility | Blood can visibly be seen in case of damage or injury to the vessels. | Lymph cannot be observed with naked eyes. |
| Diseases | Diseases of Blood include anemia, polycythemia, and thalassemia | Diseases of the lymph include lymphade, lymphede and lymphoma. |
What Are Some of the Similarities Between Blood and Lymph?
- Blood and lymph are both types of circulatory fluids.
- Both blood and lymph circulate within vessels.
- Both lymph and blood have an immune function in the body.
- Both lymph and blood are joined together by a system of capillaries.
Conclusion
Blood is a circulatory fluid of the animal body; it helps in the transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and metabolic wastes to different parts of the body. It is majorly composed of blood cells, which are Red blood cells and white blood cells suspended in plasma. Lymph on the other hand, is a type of circulatory fluid of the animal body; it flows through the lymphatic system, which consists of lymph nodes and lymph vessels. It is majorly composed of interstitial fluid i.e the fluid that lies in the interstitial spaces of all body tissues, which is collected through lymph capillaries.