EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -Noun. procuticle (plural procuticles) (biology) The major portion of the exoskeleton of an insect or arthropod.

Detailed explanation-3: -Epicuticle is the outermost of layer of cuticle; it forms a continuous layer covering the complete cuticular surface. Whereas the region of the cuticle, located between epicuticle and the epidermal cell layer, is called procuticle; it constitutes the main part of the total cuticle.

Detailed explanation-4: -The epicuticle is the outermost part of the cuticle. Its function is to reduce water loss and block the invasion of foreign matter. The innermost layer of epicuticle is often called the cuticulin layer, a stratum composed of lipoproteins and chains of fatty acids embedded in a protein-polyphenol complex.

Detailed explanation-5: -The strength of the exoskeleton is provided by the underlying procuticle, which is in turn secreted by the epidermis.