Lymph is similar in composition to blood plasma but contains very low levels of which component?

• A. Proteins (especially plasma proteins such as albumin)
• B. Dissolved gases (e.g., oxygen and carbon dioxide)
• C. Water
• D. Electrolytes (e.g., sodium and chloride ions)

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the composition of blood plasma, which includes water, dissolved gases, electrolytes, and proteins such as albumin.
2. Recognize that lymph is formed from interstitial fluid, which is derived from blood plasma but filtered through capillary walls.
3. Recall that during the formation of lymph, most plasma proteins are too large to pass through the capillary walls and thus remain in the blood.
4. Identify that because proteins are largely retained in the blood, lymph contains very low levels of plasma proteins compared to blood plasma.
5. Conclude that the component present in very low levels in lymph, compared to blood plasma, is proteins (especially plasma proteins such as albumin).