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placental mammal

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Placental mammals are mammals that have a placenta. A placenta is a special organ that develops in the uterus of a pregnant mammal. It allows the fetus to exchange nutrients and oxygen with the mother's blood.

Placental mammals are the most common type of mammal. They include humans, dogs, cats, cows, and many other animals.

Here are some of the characteristics of placental mammals:

  • They have a placenta.
  • They give birth to live young.
  • The young are fed milk from their mother's mammary glands.
  • They have fur or hair.
  • They have a four-chambered heart.
  • They are warm-blooded.

How can the word be used?

Placental mammals are the most diverse group of mammals, with over 5,000 species.

placental mammal

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • placental mammal (a mammal that has a placenta, an organ that allows the fetus to exchange nutrients and wastes with the mother's blood).

Adjective:

  • placental (of or relating to placental mammals).

Etymology

The word "placental mammal" comes from the Latin word "placenta", which means "flat cake".

The word "placental mammal" was first used in English in the 19th century. It was used to refer to mammals that have a placenta.

The root of the word "placental" is the Latin word "placere", which means "to please".

So, the word "placental mammal" literally means "mammal with a pleasing organ". This is a reference to the fact that the placenta is an important organ that allows the fetus to develop and grow.

Question

What is a placental mammal?