Question Details

This embryo has parasitic mode of nutrition

Options

A

bird’s embryo

B

amphibian embryo

C

mammalian embryo

D

reptilian embryo

Correct Answer :

mammalian embryo

Solution :

The correct option is mammalian embryo.

An embryo with a parasitic mode of nutrition is one that depends entirely on the maternal host's body for its nutrients, gas exchange, and waste elimination, drawing resources directly from the mother's tissues similar to how a parasite interacts with its host. Let's break down why this applies to the mammalian embryo compared to the other options:

1. Understanding the Options:
- Bird, Reptile, and Amphibian Embryos: These embryos generally develop inside eggs (oviparous development) or rely on yolk stored within the egg for their nutrition. They do not establish a direct physiological connection with the maternal tissue to actively draw nutrients during gestation.
- Mammalian Embryo (specifically placental mammals): The developing mammalian embryo implants itself into the uterine wall of the mother. It establishes a specialized structure called the placenta.

2. The Placenta and "Parasitic" Nutrition:
- The placenta acts as a physiological interface between the mother and the fetus.
- Through the placenta, the mammalian embryo absorbs oxygen, glucose, amino acids, lipids, and other essential nutrients directly from the mother's bloodstream.
- Simultaneously, it dumps metabolic waste products (like carbon dioxide and urea) back into the maternal circulation for excretion.
- Because the embryo obtains its nourishment directly at the expense of the maternal host's physiological resources, this relationship is biologically analogous to a parasitic mode of nutrition.

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