The Integument

What is the integument?

The living and non-living exoskeleton/body wall.

What does the integument consist of?

The cuticle, the epidermis, and the basement membrane.

What is the basement membrane?

The non-cellular supportive membrane at the base of the epidermis.

What is the cuticle?

The non-cellular outer layer level that consists of chitin.

What is the chitin?

A polysaccharide that gives the exoskeleton rigidity.

What layers make up the cuticle?

The endocuticle, exocuticle, and epicutical.

What is the endocuticle?

The innermost, soft flexible layer.

What is the exocuticle?

The layer of hard, sclerotized cuticle that provides support.

What is the epicutical?

The very thin, non-chitinous layer that functions to prevent waterloss.

What is the epidermis?

The cellular level that excretes chitin.

When is the epidermis soft?

When first excreted.

What must epidermis undergo to harden?

Sclerotization.

What is sclerotization?

The process by which proteins in the exocuticle cross-link and harden.

What does sclerotization produce?

The rigid plates versus flexible membranes on the same insect.

What is pale coloration after molting due to?

Unsclerotized chitin.

What is sclerite?

A hardened (sclerotized) plate of cuticle, bounded by sutures or membrane.

What is a suture?

A line/seam where two sclerites meet, often a line of flexibility or weakness.