Lymph nodes do all of the following, except that they
A. remove debris and pathogens from the lymph.
B. produce antibodies.
C. remove excess nutrients from the lymph.
D. monitor the contents of lymph.
E. accumulate cancer cells.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is C. remove excess nutrients from the lymph.
Explanation:
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are integral to the body’s immune system. They perform several key functions, but removing excess nutrients from the lymph is not one of them. Here’s a breakdown of their actual roles:
- A. Remove debris and pathogens from the lymph: Lymph nodes filter lymph, a clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system. As lymph passes through the lymph nodes, they remove waste materials, debris, and pathogens (such as bacteria and viruses), which are filtered and trapped by the lymph node’s immune cells. This helps prevent infections from spreading throughout the body.
- B. Produce antibodies: Lymph nodes contain B cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. When pathogens are detected in the lymph, B cells within the lymph nodes are activated and produce antibodies, which are then released into the bloodstream to target and neutralize the invading pathogens.
- D. Monitor the contents of lymph: Lymph nodes are strategically located throughout the body to monitor the lymph fluid for harmful invaders like pathogens or abnormal cells. This monitoring is vital for early detection of infections and other health problems, such as cancer.
- E. Accumulate cancer cells: In cases of cancer, cancer cells can break off from a primary tumor and spread to nearby lymph nodes. These cells may accumulate in the lymph nodes, leading to the swelling of lymph nodes. This is why swollen lymph nodes are often a sign of cancer or an infection.
Lymph nodes do not remove excess nutrients from the lymph. Their primary function is immune surveillance and defense, as well as the filtration of harmful substances, not the regulation of nutrients.