lymphatic system

• Pressure filtration causes blood plasma to pass through the capillary walls into the tissue fluid surrounding the cells.
• Tissue fluid supplies cells with glucose, oxygen and other substances. Carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes diffuse out of the cells and into the tissue fluid to be excreted. Much of the tissue fluid returns to the blood.
• Tissue fluid and blood plasma are similar in composition, with the exception of plasma proteins which are too large to be filtered through the capillary walls.
• Excess tissue fluid is absorbed by lymphatic vessels and returned as lymph to the circulatory system.
• 1. Pressure filtration occurs, causing blood plasma to pass through capillary walls into the surrounding tissue fluid.
  2. The plasma becomes tissue fluid.
  3. Glucose and oxygen are supplied to the cells. Carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste products move out of the cells.
  4. Tissue fluid moves back into the blood/capillary.