
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.
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, utilizes his extensive research background to explain how this organ functions as a bridge between mother and fetus. He presents a framework that examines the placenta not merely as a supportive structure, but as an invasive tissue that challenges traditional biological understanding of maternal-fetal tolerance.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts and readers alike recognize this text as a highly accessible yet scientifically rigorous introduction to a specialized field of biology. It is frequently cited for its ability to distill complex immunological concepts into a narrative that remains engaging for both students and interested laypeople.
Page Count:
271
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191653128
ISBN-13:
9780191653124
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