Answer:
The development of artificial placentas can be a solution that would allow the survival of premature babies, favoring the complete development of the organs -such as the lungs- that would allow their viability.
Explanation:
The main problem facing a premature newborn - before 30 weeks of gestation - is his inability to breathe, due to an immature respiratory system.
During pregnancy, the mother provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus through the placenta and the umbilical cord, which in turn receives carbon dioxide and waste products that eliminates the future baby. At birth, the baby should be able to breathe and nourish itself.
Some circumstances can cause premature birth, with the consequences of a fragile baby who may not be able to breathe due to the immaturity of his lungs.
<h3>Question 1: State how an artificial placenta would be of benefit to the lungs of premature infants.
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In the case of a newborn whose lungs are not suitable for breathing, an artificial placenta provides conditions similar to the maternal uterus that allow the complete development of the respiratory system, that is, the formation of the bronchial tubes, bronchioles, pulmonary alveoli, as well as the production of surfactant, a substance that prevents alveolar collapse during breathing.
Knowing that a premature baby cannot return to the mother's womb, it is proposed to extend the period of development by introducing the newborn in a device that simulates the conditions of the uterus and the placenta.
<h3>Question 2: Explain why the lambs’ blood must be filtered as it circulates through the artificial placenta.
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In the artificial placenta, also called biobag, the umbilical cord of the lambs is connected to a gas exchange machine - similar to that of extracorporeal circulation - capable of providing blood, nutrients and oxygen, in addition to eliminating waste products and dioxide carbon
The liquid contained in the biobag has a composition similar to that of the amniotic fluid and provides nutrients to the lamb. External monitors connected to the lamb provide all the necessary information about the vital signs of the developing animal.
<h3>Question 3: State one reason why premature lambs were likely used as model organisms in this study rather than mice.</h3>
Lambs have been chosen as a model to perform studies of artificial placenta because their fetal development is very similar to that of humans although their maximum gestation time is shorter.
In lambs, full gestation lasts up to 22 weeks, and lung development occurs between weeks 15 and 17, while in the human fetus it occurs between weeks 21 and 26. However, the stages of development are quite similar.
Since so far only the use of artificial placentas has been achieved for a maximum of 30 days, the relative rapidity with which lung development occurs in lamb fetuses allows its study, and the results of tests in lambs can be extrapolated to the fetus Human in the future.
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