Here's how it works:
* Placenta Formation: During pregnancy, the embryo develops a special organ called the placenta. This organ is connected to the embryo through the umbilical cord.
* Nutrient Exchange: The placenta attaches to the lining of the mother's uterus. Blood vessels from the mother and the embryo come very close together but don't actually mix. This allows for the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between the mother and the embryo.
* Mother's Blood: The mother's blood carries nutrients and oxygen to the placenta.
* Embryo's Blood: The embryo's blood absorbs these nutrients and oxygen from the placenta.
* Waste Removal: Waste products from the embryo, like carbon dioxide, are transported back to the mother's blood through the placenta to be eliminated.
The placenta is a crucial organ for the development of the mammal embryo, providing it with everything it needs to grow and thrive until birth.