Question

Fetal kidneys do not have to work very hard because

A) The placenta performs most of the metabolic functions for the fetus.
B) Fetal kidneys are fully developed and efficient from the beginning.
C) Fetal urine production is minimal.
D) Fetal kidneys receive a higher blood supply than adult kidneys.

Answer 1

The fetal kidneys do not have to work very hard because the placenta performs most of the metabolic functions for the fetus, including waste filtration and nutrient delivery.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fetal kidneys do not have to work very hard because The placenta performs most of the metabolic functions for the fetus. The placenta acts as a fully developed organ that provides nutrition, excretion, and respiration for the fetus. The fetal kidneys do filter blood and produce urine; however, their primary role in excretion is minimal because the placenta filters out fetal wastes from the blood. Moreover, the amniotic fluid the fetus swallows is excreted back into the amniotic fluid as urine, rather than needing extensive processing by the kidneys.