What is the role of the placenta during pregnancy?

The placenta plays a critical role during pregnancy by serving as an organ that connects the mother and fetus. This structure facilitates the exchange of nutrients, gases, and wastes between the maternal and fetal blood supplies without the two blood types mixing. The placenta allows the mother to supply her developing fetus with essential nutrients and oxygen while removing carbon dioxide and metabolic waste produced by the fetus. In addition to its function as a regulator of material exchange, the placenta also produces hormones that are crucial for maintaining pregnancy and supporting fetal development.

In contrast, the other options outline concepts that do not accurately reflect the function of the placenta. For example, the placenta does not serve as a source of genetic information; rather, the genetic information of the fetus comes from the sperm and egg contributed by each parent. Additionally, the placenta is not involved in catalyzing ovulation, which is a separate process controlled by hormones in the female reproductive system. Lastly, while the placenta is related to fetal development, it is not a developmental stage itself but an organ that supports the fetus throughout its growth in the womb. Therefore, understanding the placenta's role in connecting the mother and fetus is vital in appreciating its significance in prenatal development.