Which term describes the periodic shedding of the exoskeleton in arthropods and some other invertebrates?

Study for the IB Marine Science Standard Level Exam. Prepare with interactive quizzes and in-depth explanations. Use our resources to excel in your marine science knowledge!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes the periodic shedding of the exoskeleton in arthropods and some other invertebrates?

Explanation:
Growth in arthropods with hard exoskeletons happens by molting. Because the exoskeleton cannot expand as the animal grows, the organism periodically sheds this outer layer and forms a new, larger one. This shedding event is called molting, enabling size increase and renewal of the exoskeleton. The other terms don’t describe this process: an invertebrate is just a broad classification, metamerism refers to segmented body plans, and hermatypic describes reef-building corals.

Growth in arthropods with hard exoskeletons happens by molting. Because the exoskeleton cannot expand as the animal grows, the organism periodically sheds this outer layer and forms a new, larger one. This shedding event is called molting, enabling size increase and renewal of the exoskeleton. The other terms don’t describe this process: an invertebrate is just a broad classification, metamerism refers to segmented body plans, and hermatypic describes reef-building corals.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy