3.11

3.11 describe the role of the placenta in the nutrition of the developing embryo

The child is in the uterus, which is an environment filled with amniotic fluid. The child cannot digest, breathe or adequately carry out excretion. In order to receive nutrients, the umbilical cord grows out of the embryo, forming a placenta. The child’s blood vessels spread out to form the placenta (not the mother’s blood). The placenta grows into the wall of the uterus. Glucose, amino acids and fats travel through the wall of the uterus into the child’s bloodstream. The placenta has a large surface area and a thin barrier between the mother’s blood and the child’s blood. Nutrients (glucose, amino acids, fats) are given from the mother while excretion (carbon dioxide and urea) are given back to the maternal blood.