Answer:
Explanation:
1. Nutrient and Oxygen Exchange: The placenta facilitates the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between the mother and the fetus. It acts as a conduit for the transfer of essential substances from the mother's blood to the fetal bloodstream and vice versa.
2. Hormone Production: The placenta produces hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estrogen. These hormones play crucial roles in maintaining the pregnancy, preventing the release of additional eggs from the ovaries, and supporting the development of the uterine lining.
3. Immune Protection: The placenta acts as a barrier that protects the developing fetus from certain infections by filtering out harmful substances while allowing the passage of essential nutrients and oxygen.
4. Waste Elimination: Metabolic waste products generated by the fetus are transferred back to the mother's bloodstream through the placenta. The mother's body then eliminates these waste products.
5. Temperature Regulation: The placenta also helps in regulating the temperature of the fetus, maintaining a suitable and stable environment for its development.
