Roles of placenta

1. Nutrients : such as water, glucose , amino acid, simple proteins and mineral
salts diffuse from maternal blood into the foetal circulation

2. Site of gaseous exchange : Foetal haemoglobin has a strong affinity for

oxygen compared to adult haemoglobin

3. Removes waste products: (urea and other nitrogenous compounds) from the
foetal circulation

4. Confers passive natural immunity on the foetus:Certain maternal antibodies

can cross the placental barrier

5. Shields the foetal circulation from high pressure in the maternal circulation

6. Prevents mixing of maternal and foetal blood which would cause

agglutination (clotting) if the two blood types are incompatible

7. Produces and secretes hormones, for example , chorionic gonadotrophin,

progesterone, oestrogen, lactogen & relaxin