Final answer:
Lymphatic capillaries have wide gaps between endothelial cells and lack a basement membrane, which enables them to absorb interstitial fluid and larger molecules, distinguishing them from blood capillaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lymphatic capillaries, also known as terminal lymphatics, are crucial components of the lymphatic system. Lymphatic capillaries are different from blood capillaries in that they are not open at both ends but rather blind-ended, which allows them to collect interstitial fluid effectively. These capillaries have a unique structure with wide gaps between their endothelial cells, which facilitates the easy uptake of fluid and also includes larger particles that blood capillaries cannot absorb. The collagen filaments connected to the capillaries help regulate the entry of fluid by pulling on the endothelial cell flaps, further enabling the intake of fluid when interstitial pressure rises. Unlike blood capillaries, lymphatic capillaries lack a robust basement membrane and are less rigid. They are not abundant in epithelial tissues but are found in most other tissues in the body, with notable exceptions such as the central nervous system and bone marrow.
In summary, lymphatic capillaries have wide gaps between endothelial cells (option C) and lack a basement membrane (option D), which allows them to absorb interstitial fluid and large molecules that cannot be absorbed by blood capillaries.