The role of the Placenta and amniotic sac in pregnancy

After fertilisation:
 The zygote travels down the oviduct
dividing to form a ball of cells (embryo).
 When the embryo reaches the uterus,
implantation occurs. This is when the
embryo buries in to the thick uterus lining
to receive nutrients and oxygen from the
mother’s blood.
 The placenta, umbilical cord, amnion and
amniotic fluid form.
 The embryo is referred to as a foetus when it begins to look more like a baby.

Placenta and umbilical cord

The placenta is an organ which allows substances to diffuse from the mother’s
blood to the foetus. The foetus needs oxygen, glucose, amino acids, fats,
vitamins, minerals and water. Antibodies also pass across the placenta which will
help the baby in its first few weeks of life.
Substances can also diffuse from the foetus
to the mother’s blood e.g. carbon dioxide
and urea.
The placenta prevents some substances from
crossing and harming the baby, but not all.
Alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs, medicines
and some pathogens can all pass across the
placenta to the baby.
The blood of the mother and foetus never
mix. They are separated by thin membranes that allow diffusion to occur.
The placenta is well adapted for diffusion by
having:
• A rich supply of maternal blood vessels.
• A large surface area between it and the
uterus wall, caused by villi.
• The barrier is thin so the diffusion
distance is short.
• Constant blood flow maintains a
diffusion gradient.

Amnion and amniotic fluid

 The amnion is a membrane that forms around
the embryo.
 Amniotic fluid surrounds the embryo inside the
amnion, cushioning and protecting the
developing embryo from bumps. It also
prevents pathogens that might get into the
vagina from getting to the foetus.