Ch. 28 Pregnancy and Human Development
Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott12th EditionMarieb Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138242732
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation25
- Ch. 2 Chemistry Comes Alive24
- Ch. 3 Cells: The Living Units24
- Ch. 4 Tissue: The Living Fabric19
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System12
- Ch. 6 Bones and Skeletal Tissues19
- Ch. 7 The Skeleton14
- Ch. 8 Joints7
- Ch. 9 Muscles and Muscle Tissue26
- Ch. 10 The Muscular System25
- Ch. 11 Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue23
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System25
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflex Activity30
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System16
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses26
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System26
- Ch. 17 Blood27
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart25
- Ch. 19 The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels27
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Lymphoid Organs and Tissues16
- Ch. 21 The Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Body Defenses27
- Ch. 22 The Respiratory System21
- Ch. 23 The Digestive System31
- Ch. 24 Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance26
- Ch. 25 The Urinary System26
- Ch. 26 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance24
- Ch. 27 The Reproductive System24
- Ch. 28 Pregnancy and Human Development25
- Ch. 29 Heredity11
Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott12th EditionMarieb Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138242732Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 28, Problem 25
Claire is a heavy smoker and has ignored a friend’s advice to stop smoking during her pregnancy. On the basis of what you know about the effect of smoking on physiology, describe how Claire’s smoking might affect her fetus.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that smoking introduces harmful substances such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar into the mother's bloodstream, which can cross the placenta and affect the fetus.
Recognize that nicotine causes vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow in the placenta, thereby limiting oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus.
Consider that carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin more effectively than oxygen, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the mother's blood and leading to fetal hypoxia (low oxygen levels).
Acknowledge that reduced oxygen and nutrient supply can impair fetal growth and development, potentially causing low birth weight, premature birth, or developmental abnormalities.
Note that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of complications such as placental abruption, miscarriage, and long-term health issues for the child, including respiratory problems and increased susceptibility to infections.
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Effects of Smoking on Oxygen Transport
Smoking introduces carbon monoxide into the bloodstream, which binds to hemoglobin more readily than oxygen, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues. In pregnancy, this limits oxygen supply to the fetus, potentially causing hypoxia and impairing fetal development.
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Effects of the Complement System
Impact of Nicotine on Fetal Development
Nicotine constricts blood vessels, including those in the placenta, reducing blood flow and nutrient delivery to the fetus. This can lead to low birth weight, developmental delays, and increased risk of complications during pregnancy.
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Teratogenic Effects of Smoking
Chemicals in cigarette smoke act as teratogens, substances that can cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities. Exposure during pregnancy increases risks of miscarriage, premature birth, and congenital malformations.
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