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Human Reproduction

Question
CBSEENBI12001697

During the reproductive cycle of a human female, when, where and how does a placenta develop? What is the function of placenta during pregnancy and embryo development?

Solution

During the reproductive cycle of human female, placenta develops after the implantation of zygote in the uterus.

After implantation, finger like projection called chorionic villi appear on the trophoblast. The chorionic villi are surrounded by uterine tissues and maternal blood. It is this chorionic villi and the uterine tissue which interdigitate with each other and jointly form a structural and functional unit between developing embryo and maternal body called placenta.

The functions of placenta are as follows:

1) Nutrition: It helps to transport nutrients from mother's blood to foetus for its development.


2) Respiration: It provides oxygen to the foetus and removes CO2 from the foetus.

3) Excretion: It helps in the removal of waste products from the foetus.

4) Immunity: It provides immunity to the foetus. Antibodies developed in mother's blood passes onto the foetus through the placenta.

5) Storage: It stores some fats, glycogen and iron.

6) Secretion of hormones: It secretes many hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, gonadotropin and placental lactogen that support the growth of the foetus.