Difference Between Blood and Lymph

Blood and lymph are circulatory fluids of the animal fluids. Both play an important role in any animal body. Blood forms as a part of the circulatory system and lymph is a part of the lymphatic system. Lymph is a colourless liquid, primarily found in the intercellular spaces of a tissue.

Let us see understand more about these fluids and see what are the differences between blood and lymph

What is Blood?

Circulatory System Path - Difference Between Blood and Lymph
Circulatory System Path (Source)

Blood is majorly composed of certain cells, which are Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBCs), Platelets, etc., suspended in a matrix called plasma.

Blood plays many vital roles, some of these are:

  1. Supplying O2 to tissues and organs.
  2. Supplying nutrients like amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids.
  3. Regulating body temperature.
  4. Regulating the pH.

What is Lymph?

Lymph is a type of circulatory fluid, it flows through the lymphatic system, consisting of lymph nodes & lymph vessels.

Lymph is a clear white to yellow fluid tissue composing of white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocytes.

It plays an important role by transporting the white blood cells within the lymph nodes and bones.

Lymphatic System - Difference Between Blood and Lymph
Lymphatic System (Source)

Some functions of lymph include:

  1. Supplying nutrients to the body.
  2. Removing metabolic wastes from the tissue cells.
  3. Removing interstitial fluid from tissues.
  4. Transporting WBCs to and from lymph nodes into bones.

Differences Between Blood and Lymph

Here’s the comparison table which shows the difference between lymph and blood.

Sr.No.Blood Lymph 
1.Specialized body fluid that transports oxygen and various nutrients to body parts and carries waste products.The fluid that flows via the lymphatic system returns excess interstitial fluid & other material to the bloodstream.
2.Part of the Circulatory system.Part of the Lymphatic system.
3.Red colour fluid.Colourless to yellow colour fluid.
4.It contains Plasma, RBCs, WBCs & Platelets.It contains WBCs, Platelets & Lymphocytes. 
5.Carries high Oxygen. Carries low Oxygen.
6.Plasma contains Proteins, Calcium.Lymph lacks Proteins.
7.The flow of Blood is fast.The flow of lymph is slow.
8.The formation of Clot is quick.The formation of Clot is slow.
9.Blood moves in a circular motion.Lymph moves in a single direction.

FAQs

What are the constituents of Blood?

Blood is majorly composed of Red Blood Cells (RBCs), White Blood Cells (WBC’s) & Platelets suspended in a matrix called plasma.

Are the Blood and Lymph Related?

Blood, heart and lymph together form the Circulatory system.

What is the shape of RBCs?

RBC’s are biconcave in shape.

How does lymph move?

As lymph does not have a pump like a heart, lymphatic movement is completely done using the movement of muscles.

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