The arthropods have made variety of adaptations to allow arthropods to live and grow with in their exoskeleton.
Firm ridges and bars:
The invagination of exoskeleton form firm ridges and bars for muscle attachment.
Formation of joints:
The exoskeleton is thin soft and flexible at joints. Consequently joints move very easily.
Sensilla:
These are sensory receptors that are in the form of bristles and lenses.
The exoskeleton is modified Protection:
It protects from drying to permit gas exchange.
Moulting or ecdysis:
Arthropods have one disadvantage of exoskeleton periodically and replace it with one of the large size. This process is known as "Ecdysis or moulting".
Ecdysis is divided into four stages:
Enzymes secreted from hypodermal glands, begin digesting the old endocuticle.This digestion separates hypodermis and the exoskeleton.
The digestion of endocuticle is followed by secretion of new procuticle and epicuticle.
The old exoskeleton is split and pores are formed.
Finally, the new exoskeleton is hardened by deposition of calcium carbonate.
During the hardening process the arthropods are vulnerable to predators and remain hidden. All these changes are controlled by the nervous system and the hormone"Ecdysone".
Firm ridges and bars:
The invagination of exoskeleton form firm ridges and bars for muscle attachment.
Formation of joints:
The exoskeleton is thin soft and flexible at joints. Consequently joints move very easily.
Sensilla:
These are sensory receptors that are in the form of bristles and lenses.
The exoskeleton is modified Protection:
It protects from drying to permit gas exchange.
Moulting or ecdysis:
Arthropods have one disadvantage of exoskeleton periodically and replace it with one of the large size. This process is known as "Ecdysis or moulting".
Ecdysis is divided into four stages:
Enzymes secreted from hypodermal glands, begin digesting the old endocuticle.This digestion separates hypodermis and the exoskeleton.
The digestion of endocuticle is followed by secretion of new procuticle and epicuticle.
The old exoskeleton is split and pores are formed.
Finally, the new exoskeleton is hardened by deposition of calcium carbonate.
During the hardening process the arthropods are vulnerable to predators and remain hidden. All these changes are controlled by the nervous system and the hormone"Ecdysone".
