• Question: How does the human body get all their organs within a few months?

    Asked by 09hurrellali to David, Helen, Ian, rhysphillips, Sarah on 24 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Rhys Phillips

      Rhys Phillips answered on 15 Jun 2011:


      The miracle of life is described as such because that is almost what it is – the way that a foetus develops inside the womb is simply amazing.

    • Photo: Helen Fletcher

      Helen Fletcher answered on 24 Jun 2011:


      We start off as a single cell which goes through a series of rapid divisions. As the number of cells grow, they talk to each other through chemical signals and, based on their positions relative to each other, develop into specialised organs which are (almost always) correctly positioned to make a perfect human being. Pregnant mothers need to eat lots as you need lots of energy to build so much in so little time.
      The reason this can happen is that the first cell is asymmetric. For example, the head of a frog always develops opposite the point where the sperm entered the egg.

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