1.2.5

Pregnancy

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Pregnancy

Pregnancy starts with fertilisation, when the nucleus of a sperm fuses with the nucleus of an egg, and involves many more stages:

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Zygote

  • Once an egg is fertilised by a sperm, it is called a zygote.
  • The zygote cell then starts to divide to form a ball of cells
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Embryo

  • Once a ball of cells has formed, this is called an embryo.
  • The embryo then implants itself into the wall of the uterus.
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Placenta

  • Once the embryo has implanted, various structures form to connect the embryo to its mother;
    • A placenta forms between the embryo and the wall of the uterus.
    • The umbilical cord is a thick knot of blood vessels that connects the embryo and the placenta.
    • An amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid forms around the embryo to protect it from damage in the uterus.
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Foetus

  • 6 weeks after fertilisation, the embryo can be called a foetus.
  • The foetus continues to grow and become more complex.
  • The baby is fully formed at around 38 to 40 weeks.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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