The placenta primarily functions as the site of what between mother and fetus?

The placenta primarily functions as the site of what between mother and fetus?

• A. Nutrient and waste exchange between mother and fetus
• B. Hormone production only
• C. Protection from infection
• D. Storage of fetal waste

Answer: (A)

The placenta mainly acts as the interface that exchanges substances between mother and fetus. Maternal blood in contact with placental villi allows nutrients, oxygen, and minerals to diffuse into the fetus, while wastes such as carbon dioxide and metabolic byproducts diffuse out to be eliminated by the mother. Hormone production and immune protection occur there as well, but the central, defining role is the transfer of nutrients to the fetus and removal of wastes from fetal circulation.

The placenta mainly acts as the interface that exchanges substances between mother and fetus. Maternal blood in contact with placental villi allows nutrients, oxygen, and minerals to diffuse into the fetus, while wastes such as carbon dioxide and metabolic byproducts diffuse out to be eliminated by the mother. Hormone production and immune protection occur there as well, but the central, defining role is the transfer of nutrients to the fetus and removal of wastes from fetal circulation.