APLACENTAL Meaning and
Definition
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The term "aplacental" refers to a class or group of animals that lack a placenta during gestation. The placenta is a specialized organ found in most mammals, including humans, that forms during pregnancy in the uterus and facilitates the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste materials between the mother and the developing fetus. However, the aplacental animals have evolved differently and do not possess this organ.
Aplacental animals employ alternative methods for nourishing and protecting their developing young ones. For instance, some species may lay eggs, which provide nutrients to the embryos through the yolk. These animals are known as oviparous. Others may give birth to live young ones, known as viviparous, which rely on maternal secretions or receive nourishment from a uterine-like structure that is not equivalent to a placenta.
Examples of aplacental animals include certain groups of reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, along with various species of fish and invertebrates. It is important to note that, within each taxonomic group, certain species may exhibit placental development while others do not.
The absence of a placenta in aptacental animals often results in fundamental differences in reproductive strategies, development, and the level of dependency of offspring on parental care. This emphasizes the diversity and complexity of reproductive adaptations across the animal kingdom.
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Without a placenta, noting certain mammals, such as the kangaroo.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for APLACENTAL
- zplacental
- splacental
- wplacental
- qplacental
- aolacental
- allacental
- a-lacental
- a0lacental
- apkacental
- appacental
- apoacental
- aplzcental
- aplscental
- aplwcental
- aplqcental
- aplaxental
- aplavental
- aplafental
- apladental
Etymology of APLACENTAL
The word "aplacental" is composed of two components: "a-" which is a prefix meaning "without" or "not", and "placental" which refers to the placenta, an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy to nourish and support the fetus. The term "aplacental" is typically used in the context of animals that lack a placenta or have a significantly reduced placenta. Therefore, the etymology of "aplacental" can be understood by combining the meaning of its components: "not" or "without" + "placental" refers to an organism that does not possess a well-developed placenta or lacks one altogether.
Similar spelling words for APLACENTAL
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