Blood and lymph in the human body performimportant functions to maintain breathing and immunity. However, not all animals have these fluids separated, which is explained by the structure of the body and the simplicity of the organization. Such organisms include representatives of the type Arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans) and mollusks. They are characterized by the presence of hemolymph, which has much in common with blood in composition and function.
For animals such as arthropods ormollusks, a non-closed circulatory system is characteristic. This means that the fluid that circulates through the vessels is thrown out into the body cavity and washes all tissues of the organs. This liquid is called hemolymph, t. it combines the functions of blood and lymph.
What is hemolymph in insects and molluscs?It is colorless, bluish or greenish liquid, which is responsible for the delivery of nutrients to organs and tissues, for metabolic metabolism and immune response when a threat of the disease develops.
Гемолимфа беспозвоночных животных также содержит uniform elements of the same species, in contrast to human blood and other evolutionarily developed organisms. These cells are called hemocytes, and they can differ from each other in structure, form and function.
What is hemolymph from the chemical point of view?The composition of this solution is rather complicated. he performs several functions at once in the body of invertebrate insects. Hemolymph has a neutral or slightly acidic medium, which is maintained by the anions of certain acids. From 75 to 90% of the total solution is water, and the remaining volume is formed by elements and other solutes.
Ионный состав гемолимфы также разнообразен.It contains cations of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Of the anions, the most important is chlorine, as well as the residues of phosphoric and carboxylic acids. The content of all ions is variable and depends on the age and stage of development of the organism. For example, in terms of the content of chlorine anions, it is possible to distinguish the larva of an insect from an adult.
Of organics in the hemolymph are proteins, fats andcarbohydrates. Carbohydrates and proteins come from food through the digestive system, and the content of glucose and fructose depends on the amount of nectar consumed.
In 100 ml of hemolymph contains 1-5 g of protein.Proteins play an important role in the life of the body, so they are transported with a current of fluid to the organs and tissues. If hemolymph studies are performed, up to 30 different protein fractions can be isolated, and their number depends on the sex of the organism and age.
Lipids enter the hemolymph from the intestine andfat body, and in the latter they accumulate throughout life. The content of fats varies, and most of them are esters of glycerol and fatty acids - glycerides. That's what hemolymph is in terms of chemistry.
What is hemolymph and what functions does it perform in the body of invertebrates?
What is hemolymph in biology?This solution, which contains not only dissolved substances, but also specialized cells - hemocytes. There are 7 types of hemocytes, the main function of which is the immune response to the appearance of antigens. Formed elements form special phagocytic structures on the surfaces of tissues, which act as lymph nodes of vertebrates.
