Write a short note on: Lymph.

(N/A) As blood passes through the capillaries in tissues,some water along with small water-soluble substances move out into the spaces between the cells of tissues,leaving larger proteins and most of the formed elements in the blood vessels. This fluid released out is called the interstitial fluid or tissue fluid.
It has the same mineral distribution as that in plasma.
Exchange of nutrients,gases,etc.,between the blood and the cells always occurs through this fluid.
An elaborate network of vessels called the lymphatic system collects this fluid and drains it back into the major veins. The fluid present in the lymphatic system is called lymph.
Composition of Lymph: Lymph is a colourless fluid. Its composition is similar to blood plasma,but the concentration of salts dissolved in it is different.
Lymph has fewer protein elements and fibrinogen elements than blood plasma but contains waste elements from tissue metabolism.
There are no cells in lymph in smaller capillaries. However,when lymph passes through lymph nodes,small lymphocytes $(99 \%)$ and,in the remaining $1 \%$,RBCs and eosinophils are seen.
Function: Lymph possesses lymphocytes which are responsible for the immune responses of the body. It is an important carrier for nutrients,hormones,etc.
Fats are absorbed through lymph in the lacteals present in the intestinal villi.