What is the primary function of lymphatic tissue?

The primary function of lymphatic tissue is to support the immune system in fighting infections. Lymphatic tissue is integral to the body's immune response, as it produces and houses lymphocytes, which are key white blood cells involved in identifying and combating pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. This tissue creates a network through which lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, circulates. Additionally, lymph nodes, which are clusters of lymphatic tissue, act as filters, trapping pathogens and facilitating their destruction.

The other options do not relate to the role of lymphatic tissue. For instance, transporting oxygenated blood pertains to the function of the circulatory system, primarily carried out by arteries and veins. Connecting muscles to bones is the role of tendons. Storing energy in the form of fat is a function of adipose tissue, not lymphatic tissue. Thus, the selected answer correctly identifies the lymphatic system's crucial role in immune function and infection defense.