Placenta

Question 1

Function of placenta

Answer 1

allows exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the mother and fetus by contact between maternal blood and fetal capillaries within the chorionic villi.

supplying oxygen and excreting carbon dioxide to the maternal bloodstream.

early functions, the placenta acts as an endocrine gland.

produces four hormones necessary to maintain the pregnancy.
produces hCG, hPL, estrogen, and progesterone

Question 2

hCG role

Answer 2

maintaining adequate levels of progesterone until the placenta can take over.

Once the placenta is able to produce the right amount of progesterone on its own, at about the 8th week of pregnancy, hCG levels drop and stay relitavely low

Question 3

hPL role

Answer 3

regulating the amount of glucose (sugar) that is available for the baby

Question 4

Progesterone

Answer 4

decreases uterine contractions to allow for better implantation and growth.

maintain pregnancy by decreasing the immunologic response of the mothers body towards the Baby. This will prevent the rejection of the fetus.

Question 5

Estrogen

Answer 5

increasing prostaglandin production and increasing myometrial activity to determine the time of labour

increase the secretion of an other hormone, prolactin. Prolactin stimulates the mammary glands (breast) to produce milk during pregnancy and it is only near the end of the 9 months that milk production will start,

Question 6

placenta formation

Answer 6

formed from two layers of cells

1. throphoblast
2. decidua

Question 7

throphoblast

Answer 7

the other portion of the fertilized ovum,

Question 8

decidua

Answer 8

the portion of the uterus where implantation occurs

Question 9

Shiny Shultz

Answer 9

side attached to the uterus, it’s rough-looking

Question 10

Dirty Duncan

Answer 10

the side facing the baby, is smooth