GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -arthropods. …in arthropods by molting, or ecdysis, the periodic shedding of the old exoskeleton. The underlying cells release enzymes that digest the base of the old exoskeleton (much of the endocuticle) and then secrete a new exoskeleton beneath the old one.

Detailed explanation-2: -Arthropods shed their exoskeletons as they grow, a process called ecdysis or moulting, and this behaviour is controlled by a set of hormones and small protein-like molecules called neuropeptides that allow communication between neurons.

Detailed explanation-3: -Molting is the shedding of the exoskeleton (cuticle) of the previous life stage. Without molting, an insect cannot grow. Once a new cuticle is fully formed, an insect engages in species-specific stereotyped patterns of movements (molting behaviors) that liberate it from the cuticle of the previous stage.

Detailed explanation-4: -Since the exoskeleton is hard and its outer layer is non-living, it cannot grow bigger by small increments as the human skeleton does. Instead, arthropods must go through the delicate process of shedding the old exoskeleton and expanding to a larger size before the new exoskeleton hardens.

Detailed explanation-5: -When an insect gets too big for its exoskeleton, it sheds it. This process-known as molting-might sound matter-of-fact, but it’s not. Insects stop eating, many lie still, and they become more vulnerable to predators.