Chapter 35, Problem 41A

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

A typical arthropod and its structure.

Introduction:

An arthropod is a member of invertebrate animals with a tough exoskeleton paired joint appendage and a segmented body each with a pair of appendages or some with wings. The arthropods constitute insects, arachnids, and crustaceans which have limbs and cuticles formed of chitin which can be in a mineralized form due to the presence of calcium carbonate that makes arthropods impermeable to water. It is the most species-rich classification.

Explanation of Solution

The structure of a typical arthropod is as follows-

The body of an arthropod is divided into three main categories namely head, thorax, and abdomen, which are called tagmata formed by the fusion of many-body segments. The arthropod head contains a variety of appendages like tentacles, pair of compound eyes, pair(s) of limbs, claws or fangs, and mouthparts. The exoskeleton is made of the multilayered impermeable cuticle which provides protection and water retention and structural support to arthropods.