[Campbell Biology P.1084] According to Figure 46.16 and its description, where does oxygen pr... | Practice Question

According to Figure 46.16 and its description, where does oxygen primarily pass from the maternal blood to the fetal blood?

  • A: In the maternal arteries directly into fetal arterioles.
  • B: Through the umbilical cord directly into the fetal umbilical vein.
  • C: Across the capillaries within the chorionic villi into the maternal blood pool.
  • D: From the maternal blood pool, across chorionic villi, into fetal capillaries.

Explanation

Figure 46.16 and its description explain that maternal blood flows into blood pools in the endometrium. Fetal blood remains in vessels and passes through capillaries within the finger-like chorionic villi, which are submerged in these maternal blood pools. This is where oxygen and nutrients are acquired by the fetal blood.