Final answer:
Viviparous organisms are those whose embryos develop within the female and are nourished by the mother before being born alive. This is common in mammals, some species of fish, and a few reptiles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Organisms that have embryos which are nourished from the female's body and then are born live are referred to as viviparous. In viviparity, the young develop within the female, receiving nourishment directly from the mother's blood through a structure called the placenta. This method of reproduction is observed in most mammals, certain cartilaginous fish, and some reptile species. Unlike oviparity, where the development takes place outside the female's body, or ovoviviparity, where embryos develop inside eggs that are retained within the female's body and receive nourishment from the egg's yolk, viviparous organisms give birth to live young.