Examine This Close-Up of the Placenta (On the Left of the Figure

Multiple Choice

Examine this close-up of the placenta (on the left of the figure below) .

Why do the chorionic villi have the shape of a tree?

A) The branches of the chorionic villi create a large amount of surface area for the exchange of nutrients and gases between maternal and fetal blood.
B) The branches of the chorionic villi allow blood to flow back and forth more rapidly between the capillaries of the mother and her fetus.
C) The branches of the chorionic villi create more locations where fetal capillaries can fuse directly with maternal capillaries.
D) The branches of the chorionic villi create more surface area for the production of the amniotic fluid.