Biology Human Reproductive System Related

Review Biology Human Reproductive System related questions and content

Infants of mothers who had adequate nutrition during pregnancy do not require iron supplements or a diet rich in iron until about 3 months of age. Why is this?

  • A. Growth of the infant does not require iron until after the 3rd month
  • B. The fetal liver stores enough iron to meet the infant’s needs until the third month
  • C. Synthesis of new red blood cells begins after 3 months
  • D. Muscle cells that develop before the 3rd month do not contain myoglobin
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The fetal liver stores enough iron to meet the infant’s needs until the third month. During pregnancy, the fetus accumulates iron stores in the liver from the mother, which can sustain the infant's iron needs for the first few months of life. This stored iron is gradually utilized by the infant as the maternal iron supply diminishes post-birth.

Explanation of why the other choices are incorrect:
A: Growth of the infant does require iron even in the early months for various metabolic processes and functions.
C: Synthesis of new red blood cells starts shortly after birth, not necessarily after 3 months.
D: Myoglobin is not directly related to iron supplementation needs in infants and is unrelated to the timing of iron supplementation requirements.