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Year 8 - Science

Healthy pregnancy

Reproduction in humans

Unit Summary

This unit explores human reproduction, covering the structure and function of male and female reproductive systems, the menstrual cycle, gametes, fertilisation, gestation, and birth. It also examines how maternal lifestyle impacts the foetus through the placenta.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to name some substances that can pass through the placenta and explain the effects they have on a developing foetus.

Key Notes

  • Some substances can pass through the placenta including some drugs, alcohol and chemicals in cigarette smoke.
  • This can affect the growth of the foetus.
  • Short term consequences can include miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
  • Long term consequences can include addiction, sudden infant death and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • placenta: The placenta is an organ that is attached to the uterus wall; it provides the foetus with oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood.
  • foetus: The foetus is the stage of human development between an embryo (at around 8 weeks) up to when the baby is born.
  • alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant drug present in alcoholic drinks. It slows down the messages travelling between the brain and the body.
  • drugs: Drugs are substances that, when taken in, have an effect on the body.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Thinking that the lifestyle choices of a pregnant mother, including recreational use of drugs such as alcohol and nicotine, will not affect the foetus.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Some substances can pass through the placenta including some drugs, alcohol and chemicals in cigarette smoke. This can affect the growth of the foetus.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'placenta'

The placenta is an organ that is attached to the uterus wall; it provides the foetus with oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Thinking that the lifestyle choices of a pregnant mother, including recreational use of drugs such as alcohol and nicotine, will not affect the foetus. Correction: The lesson explores short-term and long-term effects that lifestyle choices of a pregnant mother, including recreational use of drugs such as alcohol and nicotine, can have on the developing foetus.

More Lessons In This Unit

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