Word: Placental Mammal
Definition: A placental mammal is a type of mammal that has a special organ called a placenta. The placenta helps to nourish and support the young while they are still in their mother’s body. Most mammals are placental mammals, except for a few special types like monotremes (which lay eggs) and marsupials (like kangaroos, which carry their young in pouches).
Usage Instructions: - Use "placental mammal" when talking about animals that give birth to live young that have developed inside the mother, rather than being born from eggs or carried in pouches.
Example Sentence: - "Dogs, cats, and humans are all examples of placental mammals because they give birth to live young."
Advanced Usage: In scientific contexts, you might encounter discussions about the evolution of placental mammals and how they differ from other groups like marsupials and monotremes. For example, you could say, "Placental mammals have a more complex reproductive system compared to marsupials, allowing for longer gestation periods."
Word Variants: - Placenta (noun): The organ that connects the developing baby to the mother’s blood supply. - Placental (adjective): Related to the placenta; for example, "placental circulation" refers to how blood flows between the mother and the baby through the placenta.
Different Meanings: - "Mammal" on its own refers to a class of animals that are warm-blooded, have hair or fur, and usually give birth to live young (with some exceptions).
Synonyms: - There are no direct synonyms for "placental mammal," but you might hear the term "eutherian" in scientific contexts, which specifically refers to placental mammals.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs related directly to "placental mammal." However, you might encounter phrases about parenting or nurturing that relate to the idea of mammals caring for their young.
Summary: In summary, a placental mammal is a mammal that gives birth to live young, supported through a placenta during pregnancy. Examples include humans, elephants, and whales.