During pregnancy:
* Placenta: This organ acts as a bridge between the mother and the developing fetus.
* Food delivery: Nutrients from the mother's blood, like oxygen, glucose, and amino acids, are transported across the placenta to the fetus.
* Waste removal: Waste products from the fetus, like carbon dioxide and urea, are transferred back to the mother's blood through the placenta.
After birth:
* Breast milk: This is the primary source of nutrition for infants.
* Food delivery: Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs, including fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
* Waste removal: While not directly removing waste, breast milk contains antibodies and other beneficial components that support the baby's developing immune system, helping it fight off infections and manage waste effectively.
Important Note: This exchange of food and waste is a complex process that involves a variety of physiological mechanisms, including diffusion, active transport, and filtration.