Adaptations of the placenta to its functions
- Rich blood supply allows absorbs necessary nutrients and deliver waste products to the mother’s drug
- Has villi that increase surface area for exchange of material
- Placental blood has a high affinity for oxygen
- The thin membrane reduces the diffusion distance
- High blood supply
- Blood capillaries of the fetus and mother flow in opposite direction (counter-current system) to maintain the diffusion gradient.
- Contain numerous mitochondria to provide energy for active transport.
CATEGORIES General
TAGS Dr. Bbosa Science
