Author Description
The Development Of The Placenta Was A Pivotal Event In Evolution. Without It, We Would Still Be Laying Eggs Instead Of Giving Birth To Live Offspring. It Represents The Critical Link Between The Foetus And The Mother, But Its Character Is Extraordinary — It Is, In Effect, A Foreign Tissue That Invades The Mother's Body. Compared To Many Other Animals, The Human Placenta Represents A Particularly Aggressive Body. But How Is It Managed And Controlled? How Did Such An Organ Evolve In The First Place? And Why Is It Tolerated By The Mother? Y.w. Loke Explores The Nature Of The Placenta And What It Can Tell Us About Evolution, Development, And Genetics.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the evolutionary origins, biological function, and immunological paradox of the human placenta. Author Y. W. Loke, a distinguished expert in reproductive immunology, synthesizes decades of research to explain how this organ functions as a bridge between mother and fetus. He examines the genetic mechanisms that allow the placenta to invade maternal tissue without triggering a rejection response, framing it as a critical milestone in mammalian evolution.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Evolutionary history of placental development across mammalian species
- Analysis of the immunological relationship between maternal and fetal tissues
- Discussion of genetic factors influencing placental growth and function
- Comparative anatomy of human placentation versus other mammals
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide clinical advice for pregnancy complications
- It does not cover the full spectrum of fetal development beyond placental interaction
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a clear and accessible synthesis of complex reproductive biology for both students and interested laypeople. Readers frequently note that the prose successfully balances technical rigor with a narrative style that makes the biological mechanisms easy to follow.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Publisher:
Oup Oxford
ISBN-10:
019165311X
ISBN-13:
9780191653117
Science
Biology
Medicine
Genetics
Evolutionary Biology