Structure of Foetus

Exchange of substances between maternal and foetal blood

O₂ and waste products (urea, CO₂) cross placenta by diffusion

Glucose enters foetal blood by facilitated diffusion

Amino acids enter foetal blood by active transport

- Placenta contains many mitochondria

Maternal antibodies are taken into villi by pinocytosis

- Infant has immunity to same diseases as its mother after birth

Secretes hCG (oestrogen, progesterone), maintains pregnancy