Chapter 29, Problem 1CP

What is pregnancy?

Summary Introduction

To review:

The biological terminology, “pregnancy.”

Introduction:

The term pregnancy, which is also known as the gestation, is the period when one or more than one offspring develop inside the uterus of a woman.

Explanation of Solution

The pregnancy period starts with conception, when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. During the period of pregnancy, the fertilized egg develops into embryo and later fetus. Hence, during pregnancy, fertilized egg undergoes embryonic development, fetal development, followed with the birth.

The pregnancy period in human usually lasts for 38 to 40 weeks. The first day of pregnancy is noted as the last day of the women's menstrual cycle.

Conclusion

Thus, pregnancy is the period during which complete development of an offspring takes place from a fertilized egg inside mother's womb. The fertilized egg undergoes several sequences of development during the pregnancy and the end of pregnancy is marked by the birth of the child.