Arthropod Flashcards

Flashcards about Arthropoda, Chelicerata, Crustacea, and Insecta

What are the key characteristics of Arthropods?

Invertebrates with a 3-layer exoskeleton, segmented body, and jointed appendages.

What are the major groups included in the phylum Arthropoda?

Insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans.

What is a mixocoel?

A reduced type of body cavity found in arthropods.

How do arthropods manage their rigid cuticle?

The rigid cuticle replaces itself by moulting (shedding).

What respiratory systems are used by arthropods?

Gills, lung sacs, tracheal system, or skin.

What type of nervous system do arthropods have?

Ladder-like or ganglia.

What are the major subphyla of Arthropoda?

Trilobitomorpha, Chelicerata, Branchiata, Tracheata.

What is the basic body structure of arachnids?

Cephalothorax + abdomen + appendages.

What structures are found on the cephalothorax of arachnids?

Chelicerae, pedipalps, appendages.

How does the digestive system of arachnids function?

Sclerotised pharynx which acts like a pump for extracellular digestion.

What respiratory structures do arachnids possess?

Book lungs and tracheae.

What are the components of the circulatory system in arachnids?

Haemolymph + haemocyanin.

What is the excretory system of arachnids composed of?

Malpighian tubules.

How many wings do beetles have?

Two pairs of wings.

What is an ootheca?

A structure used for protection.

Give an example of lice.

Head louse.

Describe the body structure of crustaceans.

Cephalothorax + abdomen + appendages or Cephalon + thorax + abdomen + appendages

What are the head appendages of crustaceans?

Antennules, antennae.

What organs make up to the digestive system of crustaceans?

Hepatopancreas, gastric mill system.

What is the body covering found on crustaceans?

Carapace.

Describe the body structure of insects.

Chitinous exoskeleton, head + thorax + abdomen, three pairs of jointed legs.

What are the respiratory organs in insects?

Tracheae or tracheal gills.

What is the function of the Malpighian tubules in insects?

Malpighian tubules actively catches waste.

What is parthenogenesis?

A female can produce a live young without a male.

What is complete metamorphosis?

Changes in four stages- egg, larvae, pupa, and adult (imago).

What is incomplete metamorphosis?

Change by moulting; immature insects are called nymphs (they have no wings).

What are Apterygota?

No wings, one of the oldest groups, ex: Springtails, Silverfish.

What are Pterygota?

Winged insects, including species that are secondarily wingless.