Exoskeleton of Arthropods (points to remember)

⚫The exoskeleton of arthropods is made of a tough, lightweight material called chitin.

⚫Chitin is a complex sugar that is also found in the cell walls of fungi.

⚫Arthropods are a group of animals that includes insects, spiders, crustaceans, and millipedes.

⚫The exoskeleton of arthropods is made up of several layers, including the cuticle, epicuticle, and procuticle.

⚫The cuticle is the outermost layer of the exoskeleton and is responsible for protecting the arthropod from physical damage and dehydration.

⚫The epicuticle is the outermost layer of the cuticle and is responsible for preventing the loss of water from the arthropod's body.

⚫The procuticle is the thickest layer of the exoskeleton and provides structural support for the arthropod's body.

⚫The exoskeleton of arthropods is divided into segments, which allow for flexibility and movement.

⚫Arthropods shed their exoskeletons in a process called molting.

⚫Molting allows arthropods to grow and replace damaged or worn-out exoskeletons.

⚫During molting, arthropods secrete a new cuticle underneath the old one, and then shed the old cuticle.

⚫The new exoskeleton is soft at first and hardens as it sclerotizes.

⚫Sclerotization is the process by which the new exoskeleton hardens and darkens as it dries out.

⚫The exoskeleton of arthropods is also involved in sensory functions.

⚫Arthropods have sensory hairs, called setae, that protrude through the exoskeleton and detect touch, vibration, and chemicals.

⚫Some arthropods have specialized structures in their exoskeletons, such as the compound eyes of insects.

⚫Compound eyes are made up of many individual lenses, which allow insects to see a wide range of images and detect movement.

⚫The exoskeleton also plays a role in the respiratory system of arthropods.

⚫Arthropods have a network of tubes called tracheae that transport air to the body tissues.

⚫The tracheae open to the outside through small holes in the exoskeleton called spiracles.

⚫The exoskeleton can also act as a protective barrier against predators and parasites.

⚫Some arthropods, such as scorpions, have venomous stingers that are part of their exoskeleton.

⚫The exoskeleton of arthropods can also be used for communication.

⚫Ants, for example, use chemical signals called pheromones that are produced by glands in their exoskeleton.

⚫The exoskeleton can also act as a thermal regulator, helping arthropods maintain a stable body temperature.

⚫Some arthropods, such as bees, can use  their wings to generate heat that warms their bodies.

⚫Some arthropods, such as lobsters and crabs, have a hard exoskeleton that they must shed in order to grow.

⚫Molting is necessary for arthropods to grow and develop.

⚫During molting, arthropods are vulnerable to predators because their exoskeleton is soft and not protective.

⚫Hormones control the molting process in arthropods, specifically ecdysteroids.

⚫Arthropods may eat their old exoskeleton after molting because it contains valuable minerals.

⚫Crabs and lobsters are examples of arthropods that undergo a partial molting process.

⚫The molting process in arthropods can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.

⚫Some arthropods, such as spiders, may molt several times a year, while others, like centipedes, may only molt once per year.

⚫During the molting process, arthropods will often seek out protected areas to minimize their vulnerability to predators.

⚫After molting, the new exoskeleton of arthropods will be larger and more flexible than the old one.

⚫In some arthropods, such as ants and bees, workers may undergo a molting process to become reproductives.

⚫Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, such as butterflies, will undergo a final molting process to emerge as an adult.

⚫Some arthropods, such as tarantulas, may stop feeding for several days before molting because their digestive system will shut down.

⚫The process of molting can be triggered by a variety of factors, including temperature and photoperiod.

⚫The timing of molting in arthropods is often synchronized with seasonal changes in the environment.

⚫During molting, arthropods will secrete a fluid between their old and new exoskeletons to soften and separate them.

⚫Molting is a physiologically demanding process for arthropods and requires a significant amount of energy.

⚫In some arthropods, such as scorpions, molting may be triggered by stressful conditions, such as low food availability or high temperatures.

⚫Failure to molt properly can result in deformities and other health problems for arthropods.