Glossary

interaction – when two drugs react to increase or decrease one or both drugs, often in ways that are unexpected or potentially harmful.

placenta – the placenta is a temporary organ that develops in pregnancy and joins the mother and foetus. The placenta acts as a filter. It transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the foetus, and takes away carbon dioxide and waste products. The placenta is full of blood vessels.

The placenta is expelled from the mother’s body after the baby is born and it is no longer needed. It is sometimes called the afterbirth.

prematurity (pregnancy) – when a baby is delivered after only 37 weeks or less.

standard deviation (SD) – the standard deviation from a mean average, is a measure of the degree of variation from the mean.

secondary mutation – see minor mutation.