Which one of the following functions is not performed by the placenta?
A. Combating internal infection
B. Producing hormones that support the pregnancy
C. Giving the developing baby immunity to various diseases
D. Producing morphogens that cause cell transformation.
I choose c is that correct
Yes, your answer is correct. The placenta performs many important functions during pregnancy, but giving the developing baby immunity to various diseases is not one of them. The placenta primarily serves as a connection between the mother and the fetus, allowing for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products.
To determine the correct answer, you can analyze the functions of the placenta and eliminate the options that are performed by it. Here is a breakdown of each option:
A. Combating internal infection: During pregnancy, the placenta helps protect the fetus from certain infections, but it does not actively combat internal infection.
B. Producing hormones that support the pregnancy: The placenta produces several hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone, that support the pregnancy.
C. Giving the developing baby immunity to various diseases: This function is not performed by the placenta. Instead, the baby receives immunity from the mother through the transfer of antibodies during pregnancy or through breast milk after birth.
D. Producing morphogens that cause cell transformation: Morphogens are signaling molecules that play a role in cell differentiation and tissue development. The placenta does not produce morphogens that cause cell transformation.
By understanding the functions of the placenta and the options provided, you correctly determined that option C is not performed by the placenta.