It is estimated that every year more than 15 million babies are born too early. The lungs of these premature infants are often immature and easily damaged. Premature births happen for a variety of reasons—some known and some unknown. Those that are known include infections and conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Scientists are researching what causes premature births, in an attempt to develop solutions to prevent them. Scientists are also working on the development of an artificial placenta. At the University of Michigan, five premature lambs were placed in artificial placentas and kept alive for weeks. During this time, each lamb’s blood was circulated through its artificial placenta.

Discuss how the development of an artificial placenta is an important step in the study of premature births.

Question 1: State how an artificial placenta would be of benefit to the lungs of premature infants.

Question 2: Explain why the lambs’ blood must be filtered as it circulates through the artificial placenta.

Question 3: State one reason why premature lambs were likely used as model organisms in this study rather than mice.