Placenta and umbilical cord
The placenta allows substances to The random movement of a substance from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration from the mother’s blood to the foetus (e.g. oxygen and glucose).
Substances can also diffuse from the foetus to the mother’s blood (e.g. carbon dioxide and A nitrogenous waste product resulting from the breakdown of proteins. It is excreted in urine.).
The umbilical cord attaches the placenta to the foetus. It contains the umbilical artery and the umbilical vein.
The umbilical artery carries urea and carbon dioxide from the foetus to the mother’s blood.
The umbilical vein carries oxygen and nutrients from the mother’s blood to the foetus.
Belonging to the mother. blood and Belonging to the foetus. blood systems are close together but not joined. They are separated by thin membranes that allow diffusion to occur.
Amnion and amniotic fluid
The amnion is a membrane that forms around the embryo.
Amniotic fluid surrounds the embryo inside the amnion, cushioning and protecting the developing embryo.
Alcohol and pregnancy
Research shows that consuming alcohol while pregnant can cause harm to the foetus.