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11 Body Fluids

About 70-90 per cent of the total body weight of organisms consists of body fluids which circulate in
the body. The fluid remains in a state of motion and flows through a network of vessels (open or
closed) so as to reach every part of the body. Motion of the body fluid remains in a state of dynamic
equilibrium so long the animal is alive. The composition as well as the volume of these body fluids is
also maintained in a steady state. In aquatic animals, which are living constantly under water, volume
of the internal fluids remains constant irrespective of changes in the pressure of air or water.
Therefore the internal pressure and the volume of the fluids inside the body remain constant.

11.1 MAJOR TYPES OF BODY FLUIDS

Within the body of animals, body fluids occur either as intracellular fluids or extracellular fluids. The
intracellular fluids are present within the cell which are responsible for metabolic reactions.
Extracellular fluids, which appear outside cells and within tissues, provide nourishment to the cells
and also serve to eliminate waste products. In protozoa, only intracellular fluid is present which is
responsible for all the exchange mechanisms. However, the metazoans possess extracellular fluids
because of their increasing complexity in structure. In metazoans, extracellular spaces occur
prominently in the form of lumen and cavities and the fluid circulating in these spaces is
compartmentalized. In acoelomate animals, the spaces appear as interstitial channels, whereas in
coelomates additional circulatory system is present.
The extracellular fluid can be classified into several types.
In many pseudocoelomates like nematodes, entoprocta and rotifers, the extracellular fluid is
known as coelomic fluid. It is a watery fluid which supplies nourishment to different parts of the body.
It is also responsible for removing the wastes, but has no role in respiration.
In arthropods and molluscs (except Cephalopods), the extracellular fluid is called the
haemolymph which circulates in open channels. Although watery in consistency, it possesses some