Final answer:
The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta, and the umbilical vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, which provides essential nutrients and oxygen for fetal development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fetus is connected to the placenta through the umbilical cord, which includes two arteries and one vein. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood, rich in carbon dioxide and fetal wastes, from the fetus to the placenta. This is part of the process in which waste products are transferred to the maternal circulation and nutrients and oxygen diffuse back to the fetus. Conversely, the umbilical vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, providing it with the necessary oxygen and nutrients for growth and development. The umbilical veins and arteries play an essential role in the nourishment and waste disposal for the developing fetus.
The umbilical cord carries blood between the fetus and the placenta. The umbilical cord consists of one umbilical vein and two umbilical arteries. The umbilical vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, while the umbilical arteries carry oxygen-depleted blood, including wastes and carbon dioxide, from the fetus back to the placenta for filtering.