noun
- The fluid that circulates in the body cavity of arthropods (such as insects and crustaceans), functioning similarly to blood in vertebrates.
Usage: plural of haemolymph; technical/scientific term; also spelled hemolymphs in U.S. English
Examples
- Insects rely on haemolymphs to transport nutrients and oxygen throughout their bodies.
- The haemolymphs of crustaceans contain cells that help fight infection.
- Unlike vertebrate blood, haemolymphs do not circulate through closed vessels.
- Researchers studied the composition of haemolymphs to understand insect physiology.
- The haemolymphs in arthropods bathe the internal organs directly.