Correct distribution of lymphocytes in bodily compartments

Steps:

• Identify the table columns as blood, tissue fluid, and lymph based on immune system context.
• Recall lymphocytes circulate in blood and lymph but do not reside in tissue fluid.
• Compare each option's symbols (✓ for present, x for absent) to biological locations.
• Select the row matching lymphocytes' distribution: present in blood, absent in tissue fluid, present in lymph.

Why C is correct:

• Lymphocytes are white blood cells that circulate in blood and lymph for immune surveillance, but they do not typically reside in tissue fluid, matching ✓ x ✓ per standard immunology definitions.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Antibodies are soluble proteins present in all three (blood plasma, tissue fluid, lymph), so x ✓ ✓ is incorrect.
• B: Plasma proteins like albumin diffuse into tissue fluid and lymph, so ✓ x ✓ omits their presence in tissue fluid.
• D: Phagocytes (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages) are in blood and tissue fluid, so ✓ x ✓ wrongly excludes tissue fluid.

Final answer: C