Question

Which best describes how a fetus exchanges gases while in the womb?

Gases are removed by the umbilical cord and taken to the uterus.
Gas exchange occurs at the lungs.
Gas exchange occurs through the placenta.
Gases diffuse out of the fetus directly into the uterus.

Answer 1

C. Gas exchange occurs through the placenta.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fetus is a developing baby in the womb or uterus. The fetus is incapable of performing certain life processes itself and hence, depends on the mother to do them. One of these processes is GAS EXCHANGE. Gas exchange occurs in the fetus via a structure called PLACENTA.

Placenta is a structure that forms in the uterus during pregnancy. It helps the developing fetus supply oxygen and nutrients from the mother and also remove wastes from the fetus back to the mother. The oxygen is taken into the fetus via the PLACENTA while the carbon dioxide (waste product of respiration) is removed via the PLACENTA. Hence, Gas exchange occurs through the placenta.