Human Biology, 14 Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 1-25924-574-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-25924-574-9

Chapter 18 - Section 18.4 - Pregnancy and Birth - Check Your Progress - Page 402: 2

Answer

Produce a carbon dioxide (CO2) gradient between fetal and maternal blood.

Work Step by Step

This promotes the flow (diffusion) of CO2 from fetal to maternal circulation by way of the placenta. The pregnant mother is very sensitive to CO2 and the continuous progesterone secretion promotes a mild maternal tachypnea to keep CO2 levels low in the maternal circulation.
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