I keep getting “Placenta” questions wrong in Human Reproduction & Reproductive Health. What's the trap?
thinking maternal and foetal blood mix directly.
The usual trap: thinking maternal and foetal blood mix directly. How to avoid it: the placenta exchanges materials by diffusion — the two bloodstreams stay separate. Go back to the definition — the structure connecting the embryo to the mother's uterus for nutrient, gas and waste exchange, and it also secretes hormones.
Key point
Placenta
Common mistake
thinking maternal and foetal blood mix directly.
Memory tip
the placenta exchanges materials by diffusion — the two bloodstreams stay separate.
Tap to watch or see it right here — the app stays open (it only opens a quick search if nothing embeddable is found).