Name the four embryonic membranes and give a human function for each one. (page 396 )

The amnion is a remarkable membrane surrounding the developing embryo, likened to a fluid-filled balloon. Its primary duty is to cushion the embryo, safeguarding it from any potential bumps and jolts during gestation. Imagine it as an internal shock absorber, filled with amniotic fluid, which offers more than just protection; it maintains a steady temperature, ensuring the embryo's environment remains consistent.

Moreover, the amniotic fluid lets the embryo move freely, which is vital for muscle development and bone growth. Additionally, it plays a part in lung development, as the fetus 'breathes' the fluid in and out, preparing the lungs for life outside the womb. As fascinating as it is, the amnion provides a sanctuary for the embryo to grow into a healthy fetus.

Although not storing substantial yolk like its reptilian or avian counterparts, the yolk sac in humans has a mission of its own. It emerges at the onset of pregnancy and functions as a makeshift circulatory system even before the heart begins to beat. This small but mighty structure is the embryo's lunchbox during the early weeks, serving up nutrients before the placenta is fully formed.

The yolk sac also has a hand in creating the cells for what will become the baby's blood, bone marrow, and immune system. As a cornerstone for the blood cell factory, it's early proof of the miraculous organizational skills of the human body. Once the yolk sack's role is complete, it gracefully bows out, leaving its duties to other developing systems.

The allantois may start as a modest pouch from the yolk sac, but it grows up to take on a significant role. In birds and reptiles, the allantois is involved in nutrition and waste storage; however, in humans, it takes a different path. It becomes part of the lifeline between the fetus and the mother: the umbilical cord.

Through this cord, the fetus communicates with the placenta, swapping out waste products for oxygen and vital nutrients. The role of the allantois is relatively short-lived but vital, illustrating the efficiency of embryonic development, where every structure has a purpose, no matter how fleeting its existence may be.

Consider the chorion as the outer shell of the embryo's world, containing all the other membranes. It's from this structure that the placenta blooms, forming an intricate connection with the mother's body. The chorion develops little fingers called chorionic villi that delve deep into the uterine wall to siphon nutrients and oxygen from the mother's bloodstream directly to the fetus.

Alongside its pivotal role in nutrient exchange, the chorion is also a hormonal whiz, secreting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the very hormone detected by pregnancy tests and essential for the sustenance of pregnancy. Its capabilities don't stop there: the chorion provides immune protection, ensuring that the fetus is not rejected by the mother's immune system. This dual role of guardian and provider underlines the chorion's fundamental part in pregnancy.