3.11 Placenta

• The foetus relies on the mother as it develops for:
• Food and water (Nutrients) - Gained from the placenta 
• Protection - Protected by the uterus and the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus
• Oxygen - Also gained from placenta
• Placenta - Transports glucose, amino acids, fats and oxygen from the mother's blood stream to the foetus through the umbilical cord
• Umbilical cord connects fetus to the placenta
• Nutrients and oxygen diffuses across the placenta to transport it from mother to fetus
• Waste such as CO^2 also diffuses across the placenta to transport it from fetus to the mother