Final answer:
The placenta exchanges gases, nutrients, and wastes between the mother and the developing fetus. It uses diffusion and active transport mechanisms to facilitate this exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The placenta is involved in the exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes between the maternal blood and the embryonic circulation. The correct answer to the question is: a) Gases; nutrients; wastes.
During pregnancy, the placenta serves as a critical interface between the mother and the developing fetus. It transfers essential nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the fetus, while also eliminating carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes from fetal to maternal blood for excretion. The placenta employs various transport mechanisms including simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport to ensure that the developing fetus receives the necessary components for growth and development while maintaining a stable internal environment.