Final answer:
The fluid that bathes skin cells, removes waste, and has immune functions is called lymph. It circulates in the lymphatic system and is rich in white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, which play a vital role in the immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
The clear fluid you're referring to that bathes skin cells, removes toxins and cellular waste, and has immune functions is called lymph. Lymph is the watery fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, which includes a network of vessels, ducts, lymph glands, and organs like the tonsils, adenoids, thymus, and spleen. Unlike blood, lymph does not contain erythrocytes (red blood cells). However, it is very similar in composition to blood plasma and is rich in white blood cells, especially lymphocytes, which are critical for the adaptive immune system.
The lymphatic system has several key roles in the body. It aids in the return of interstitial fluid to the bloodstream, removes pathogens and cellular debris from the lymph or blood, and contributes to the immune defense by producing and circulating lymphocytes. When the blood travels through the capillaries, some of its components are filtered out into the surrounding tissue space, forming interstitial fluid. This fluid then bathes and nourishes the cells, absorbs waste products, and is eventually collected by lymphatic vessels to be transported as lymph back to the bloodstream.