Question

1. David is stung by a bee on his arm. What can the lymphatic system do to remove the venom from the stinger? Lymph trunks can redirect the venom to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes near the sting site can remove the venom. Blood vessels can remove the venom and send it to the lymphatics. Lymph can move to the sting site and drain the venom. I have no idea about this one. Can someone please help?

Answer 1

The answer is Lymph trunks can redirect the venom to the lymph nodes. In the lymph node, the toxin (mostly proteinous) will be recognized as a foreign body by immune cells especially dendritic cells. The dendritic cells will also present the foreign material to B and T cells and consequently initiate an adaptive immune response. The T cells will phagocytose the proteins and cleave them hence making them ineffective. B cells will produce immunoglobulins that will attach on the toxin and mark them for phagocytosis or neutralize them.

Answer 2

Our lymphatic systems act to drain lymph from our tissues, empties and redirects it back to the bloodstream. Therefore, blood vessels remove the venom which is to be drained by our lymphatic system, cycle repeats until no venom is left.