EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Arthropods are covered with a tough, resilient integument or exoskeleton of chitin . Generally the exoskeleton will have thickened areas in which the chitin is reinforced or stiffened by materials such as minerals or hardened proteins. This happens in parts of the body where there is a need for rigidity or elasticity.

Detailed explanation-2: -The phylum Arthropoda contains a wide diversity of animals with hard exoskeletons and jointed appendages.

Detailed explanation-3: -The function of the exoskeleton of arthropods is similar to that of the human skeleton, as it provides support and protection for the animal. The difference is that while the human skeleton is an endoskeleton, which is inside of the body, an arthropod’s exoskeleton is on the outside of the body.

Detailed explanation-4: -The exoskeleton is composed of a thin, outer protein layer, the epicuticle, and a thick, inner, chitin–protein layer, the procuticle. In most terrestrial arthropods, such as insects and spiders, the epicuticle contains waxes that aid in reducing evaporative water loss.

Detailed explanation-5: -An exoskeleton is a key feature of arthropods, a category of animals that includes insects, spiders, and crustaceans. Grasshoppers, cockroaches, ants, bees, cicadas, scorpions, lobsters, shrimp, black widows, snails and crabs are all examples of animals with exoskeletons.