Lymphatic System

Question 1

What is the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

Sewage system of the circulatory system
Interconnected tubes moving excess fluid from blood vessels towards the heart to be reabsorbed. Around 10% is waste product called lymph which is transported to the lymph nodes.

Question 2

What is the function of the lymphatic system?

Answer 2

Reabsorbes excess interstitial fluid (fluid between cells) - the fluid is returned to the circulatory system to maintain blood volume
Transports dietary lipids (oils and fats)
Lymphocyte (white blood cell) development

Question 3

What is lymphatic capillaries structure?

Answer 3

Single layer of overlapping epithelial cells (common cell that covers organs, skin, blood vessels etc.)
Very permeable (liquids and gases pass through it easily)

Question 4

What is the lymphatic vessel structure?

Answer 4

It has more valves than veins as it is low pressure

Question 5

What is the thymus gland?

Answer 5

A lobed organ above the heart.
T-lymphocytes (white blood cells) mature here
- mainly function in juveniles so decreases as the animal matures

Question 6

What does the lymph node do?

Answer 6

It is located in the path of lymphatic vessels so filters any foreign partials and contains lots of lymphocytes (white blood cells) to fight infection

Question 7

What is a lymph nodule?

Answer 7

Does not function as a filter and is smaller than the lymph node
Localised production of lymphocytes (white blood cells)

Question 8

What does the spleen do?

Answer 8

It is the largest lymphatic organ.
Contains and produces lymphocytes (white blood cells)
Removes microbes and old red blood cells