Final answer:
The functions of lymph nodes are defense, which is carried out by filtering pathogens from the lymph and facilitating adaptive immune responses, and hematopoiesis, which is the process of creating new blood cells including lymphocytes. Therefore, the correct answer is c. defense and hematopoiesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functions of Lymph Nodes
The primary functions of lymph nodes include acting as a key component in the body's immune defense system and supporting the maturation and circulation of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes, which include B and T cells, are crucial for the adaptive immune response, providing defense against specific pathogens and creating immunological memory for long-lasting immunity.
Lymph nodes serve as a filtration system where macrophages and dendritic cells remove debris and pathogens from the lymph. These nodes are structured to facilitate the initiation of adaptive immune responses mediated by various lymphocytes. They are intricately involved in the defense against and removal of harmful entities within the body's internal environment.
Hence, the correct answer to the student's question is c. defense and hematopoiesis, as lymph nodes are involved in defense through the adaptive immune system and support hematopoiesis by fostering the maturation of lymphocytes which originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.