Arthropods Flashcards
What are common characteristics shared by arthropods
a tough exoskeleton, jointed appendages, and a segmented body
What are the 4 functions of a tough exoskeleton
body support, protection of soft body parts, attachment point for muscles, prevents water loss
What is a jointed appendage
artho=joint, pod=foot
examples : antennae, claws, walking legs, wings, flippers
What are the 3 basic segments of insects
head, thorax, and abdomen
What is a cephalothorax
head and thorax fused together in some arthropods
What does the body of an arthropod look like
some have long, wormlike bodies with many visible segments, while others have a few large body parts
What are the 3 types of respiratory structures in arthropods
gills, book gills, and book lungs, and tracheal tubes
What are tracheal tubes and what do they do
a network of tracheal tubes are common in insects reaching deep into the tissues, supplying oxygen by diffusion to body tissues
What are gills
used for respiration, looking like a row of feather located underneath the cover of the exoskeleton
What are book gills and book lungs
several layers of tissues layered to increase the surface area for gas exchange and used in arthropods for respiration
What are the 4 subphyla of arthropods and give examples of each
trilobita which are ancient sea dwellers but now all extinct, chelicerata : spiders scorpions mites ticks, crustacea : crabs crayfish lobsters, uniramia : millipedes centipedes insects
What is the oldest subphylum of arthropods
trilobita
What must all arthropods do in order to grow
molt or shed their exoskeletons as when an arthropod expands the exoskeleton stretches
How long does it take of exoskeletons to harden
could take a few hours to a few days
What is metamorphosis
the process of growth and change which is most often dramatic in form
What are the 2 types of metamorphosis
complete and incomplete metamorphosis
Describe incomplete metamorphosis
change from young to adult is gradual, young resembles adults but lack functioning sex organs or other structures, goes from egg to nymph to adult
What is a nymph
immature form that looks like an adult
Describe complete metamorphosis
4 stages : egg, larva, pupa, adult
Describe the 4 stages of metamorphosis
egg undergoes metamorphosis in order to become larvae, larva look nothing like parents and molt repeatedly, pupa is when adult structures begin to grow and larval structures are broken down, adult have internal and external body parts that are completely different from before
What are instars
growth periods between molts of nymphs and larva
In what ways are arthropods important ecologically
are a source of food for many organisms, pollinate 2/3 of world’s flowering plants
Give an example of a symbiotic relationship
bull horn acacia tree/ants, fish/cleaner shrimp
In what ways are arthropods important economically
agriculture by pollination, bees make honey, silkworms produce silk, are a food supply (lobster, shrimp, crab)
What are the uses of chitin
tough exoskeleton, dress wounds and make thread for surgical stitches, may be sprayed on fruit to prevent spoilage
What can spider silk and venom be used for
Venom could be a potential pesticide and silk could be a bulletproof vest
What is the phylum name for arthropods
phylum arthropoda
