Biology Form 5 Chapter 1 (Not Full)

10.4: Lymphatic System

10.4.1: Interstitial fluid:
 The Formation of Interstitial Fluid and Lymph
a) A colourless liquid called interstitial fluid or tissue fluid filled up the
interstitial spaces between tissue cells.
b) When blood flows through the capillaries, the endothelial cell walls
will act as a filter to hold back the large cellular components such as
red blood cell and large protein molecules and allowing water and
other dissolved substances of the plasma to flow into the interstitial
spaces. This process is known as ultrafiltration.
c) These fluid will returns to the circulatory system through the venous
end of the capillaries or into the lymph capillaries.

 Characteristics of the Interstitial Fluid and Lymph:

a) Interstitial Fluid:
i) Appearance: Pale straw-coloured fluid
ii) Location: Outside the vessels, in the interstitial spaces
surrounding the tissue cells.
iii) Originate: Plasma
iv) Function: Transport over short distance
v) Moved by: Hydrostatic and osmotic forces
vi) Direction of flow: Out from the arterial end and returns into the
venous end of the capillary.
vii) Contents: Water, Ions, Nutrients, Waste products, Gases,
Hormones
 b) Lymph:
i) Appearance: Pale straw-coloured fluid
ii) Location: Outside the vessels, in the interstitial spaces
surrounding the tissue cells.
iii) Originate: Plasma
iv) Function: Transport over short distance
v) Moved by: Hydrostatic and osmotic forces
vi) Direction of flow: Out from the arterial end and returns into the
venous end of the capillary.
vii) Contents: Water, Ions, Nutrients, Waste products, Gases,
Hormones
 Importance of Interstitial Fluid:
a) The tissue fluid provides a stable external environment as it fills the
interstitial spaces.
b) Nutrients and oxygen can be delivered to the tissue cells.
c) Transport the waste product away.

10.4.2: Structure of the Lymphatic System

 The lymphatic system is made out of a network of lymph vessels where
lymph (composition is similar to tissue fluid but with more fat) is found.
 Main structures of lymphatic system:
a) Lymphatic capillaries:
- Microscopic closed-ended vessels
- Larger in diameter than blood capillary
- Located next to blood capillaries in tissues spaces for the
interstitial fluid to flow through easily
- Permeable to tissue fluid
- Found as lacteal in the villi of the small intestine to transport lipids
b) Lymphatic vessels:
- Formed from the convergence lymph capillaries
- Resemble veins (having 3-layered walls but thinner and have more
valves)
- Carry lymph away from the tissue
c) Lymph node
- A small oval structure
- Contains a network of fibre which filters the lymph
- Eliminates bacteria and cellular debris by phagocytosis
 d) Spleen:
- An organ located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach
- Produces lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cell and
destroy old blood cells
e) Lymphatic ducts
- Thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct
- Parts of body where lymph vessels drain their contents back into
the blood stream
 Movement of lymph:
a) Tissue fluid drains into the lymph capillaries to form lymph
b) Lymphatic vessel are formed by lymph capillaries and its walls
contain valve-like pores to allow the entry of bacteria and cell debris
c) Similar to veins, substances in the lymphatic vessel is moved by the
contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles
d) Semilunar valves is present to prevent backflow
e) Bacteria and cell debris are removed from the lymph node by
phagocytosis
f) By the thoracic duct (the whole body except the area of the right
lymphatic duct) and the right lymphatic duct (from the tight half side
of head to right lung), lymph is returned to the heart with several
ways:
- Hydrostatic pressure of the tissue fluid
- Contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles
- Semilunar valves is present to prevent backflow
- During inhalation, the expansion of the thorax reduces pressure
within it drawing lymph towards to thorax

10.4.3: Functions of the lymphatic system:

- Transport tissue fluid back to the bloodstream
- Distributes fluids and nutrients in the body and drains excess fluids
- Transport absorbed fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the small
intestine into the blood circulation
- Produces lymphocytes and antibodies to and filter out
microorganisms and other foreign substances from the lymph and
blood.
10.4.4: The Failure of the Tissue Fluid to Return to the Circulatory System
 Oedema is caused by an increase in the blood capillary pressure
forcing an excess fluid leakage into the interstitial spaces or a
blockage in the lymphatic vessels which causes the slowing down
of the drainage of excess tissue fluid.
 Elephantiasis is caused by the blockage in the body’s lymphatic
system by certain parasitic round worms leading to oedema. This
causes a swelling that resembles an elephant’s foreleg in size,
texture and colour.

10.5: Role of Circulatory System in the Body’s Defence Mechanism

 Our healthy human body is able to defence the body from most of the
pathogens which cause diseases.
 There are 3 line defence mechanisms in our body:
The first line of defence
(i) Body’s natural barrier: Skin
(ii) Has a tough layer of dead skin cells to prevent pathogens
from entering the body effectively
(iii) Mucous membranes secrete a protective layer of mucus at the
respiratory tract, reproductive system and the urinary tract
(iv) The sticky mucus sticks dust and microorganisms and carried
by cilia to oesophagus and swallowed then passed out in
faeces.
(v) Treats all types of pathogens

The second line of defence

(i) The second line of defence involves phagocytic white blood
cells such as the neutrophils and monocytes (develops to
macrophage) to destroy pathogens in the body.
(ii) Process of phagocytosis:
a) Bacterium produced by microorganisms attracts phagocyte
and sticks to it.
b) The phagocyte extends the pseudopodia and engulf the
pathogen and digest it with hydrolytic enzymes and
absorbed into the cytoplasm.
(iii) Treats all types of pathogens.
 The third line of defence
(i) Antibodies (produced by lymphocytes) destroy bacteria and
viruses before they enter the body cells.
(ii) Some lymphocytes originate in bone marrow and migrate to
the lymph nodes, where they mature and multiply.