How is tissue fluid formed and returned to the circulatory system?

At the arterial end of a capillary the blood is under a fairly high pressure. This hydrostatic pressure 'squeezes' a fluid called tissue fluid out of the pores in the walls of the capillary (fenestrations). Tissue fluid is plasma without the larger plasma proteins as they are too large to pass through the fenestrations. The cells surrounding the capillary are bathed in this tissue fluid and necessary materials are exchanged by direct diffusion between the cells and tissue fluid.
As blood moves along capillary the proteins become more concentrated due to loss of water, thus lowering the water potential of the blood. The water in the tissue fluid moves back into the capillary by osmosis due to a water potential gradient between the tissue fluid and the blood. Any remaining tissue fluid is called lymph which is drained into the lymphatic system and is eventually returned to the blood.

BR
Answered by Balkrishna R. Biology tutor

40075 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do populations of bacteria develop antibiotic resistance?


I often understand the question and think I have answered it correctly, but I don't get all the marks for my answer. What am I doing wrong?


What is an enzyme? Can you provide an example of an enzyme found in plants and describe its function? (4 marks)


What precisely is autoregulation in the kidney? Is it solely the ability to vary the diameters of the afferent and efferent arterioles? If so how is this controlled?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning