What is the name given to the nutrient-rich organ that supports the embryo during its development?

The nutrient-rich organ that supports the embryo during its development is the placenta. The placenta plays a critical role in providing oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus while also facilitating the removal of waste products. It acts as a vital interface between the maternal blood supply and the embryo, ensuring that the fetus receives all necessary substances for growth and development. Additionally, the placenta produces hormones that help maintain pregnancy, further underscoring its importance during gestation.

Amniotic fluid, on the other hand, provides cushioning for the embryo and facilitates movement but does not supply nutrients directly. The uterine lining, or endometrium, is the tissue that supports implantation and provides a habitat for the embryo but is not an organ in itself that supplies nutrients. Chorionic villi are projections from the placenta that increase its surface area for nutrient and gas exchange but do not constitute the entire nutrient-rich organ. Each of these components plays a role in supporting embryonic development, but the placenta specifically is the key structure that supplies necessary nutrients.