Haemolymph
Haemolymph is the circulatory fluid found in arthropods and some other invertebrates, analogous to the blood and interstitial fluid in vertebrates. Unlike vertebrate blood, haemolymph is not confined to vessels and instead fills the hemocoel, bathing the internal organs directly.
Composition[edit | edit source]
Haemolymph is primarily composed of water, but it also contains ions, carbohydrates, lipids, glycerol, amino acids, hormones, and some cells known as hemocytes. These components serve various functions, including nutrient transport, waste removal, and immune defense.
Hemocytes[edit | edit source]
Hemocytes are the cellular components of haemolymph and play a crucial role in the invertebrate immune system. They are involved in phagocytosis, encapsulation of foreign bodies, and wound healing. Unlike vertebrate blood cells, hemocytes are not involved in oxygen transport.
Function[edit | edit source]
Haemolymph serves several vital functions in invertebrates:
- Nutrient Transport: It carries nutrients from the digestive system to cells throughout the body.
- Waste Removal: Metabolic waste products are transported to excretory organs for elimination.
- Hormone Distribution: Hormones are distributed via haemolymph to regulate physiological processes.
- Immune Response: Hemocytes and other components of haemolymph are involved in defending against pathogens.
Circulatory System[edit | edit source]
In arthropods, the circulatory system is open, meaning that haemolymph is not confined to blood vessels. Instead, it flows freely within the hemocoel, a body cavity that houses the internal organs. The heart, a muscular tube, pumps haemolymph through the body, but the flow is not as directed as in closed circulatory systems.
Differences from Vertebrate Blood[edit | edit source]
Unlike vertebrate blood, haemolymph does not contain red blood cells or hemoglobin, and it is not primarily responsible for oxygen transport. Oxygen is typically delivered to tissues through a system of tracheae in insects, bypassing the need for an oxygen-carrying circulatory fluid.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Template:Invertebrate physiology Template:Circulatory system
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