Question

question 10 of 10
how is the circulation of a fetus different from the circulation of a baby?
a. the fetus does not use its lungs to bring oxygen to the blood.
b. the fetus breathes carbon dioxide instead of oxygen.
c. the fetus has blood with no oxygen in it.
d. the fetus does not pump blood throughout its body.

Explanation:

In a fetus, the lungs are not functional for gas exchange. Instead, the placenta is responsible for oxygen - carbon dioxide exchange. The fetal circulation has special structures (like the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus) that shunt blood away from the non - functional lungs. After birth, when the baby starts breathing, these shunts close, and the lungs take over the role of oxygenating the blood. Option B is incorrect because the fetus does not breathe carbon dioxide instead of oxygen. Option C is wrong as fetal blood does have oxygen (though it gets oxygen from the placenta). Option D is incorrect because the fetus does pump blood throughout its body.

Answer:

A. The fetus does not use its lungs to bring oxygen to the blood.