Insects and Arthropods

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts regarding insects and their classification within the phylum Arthropoda.

Arthropoda

The phylum that includes insects, shrimp, horseshoe crabs, centipedes, and daddy longlegs.

Exoskeleton

A rigid external covering that supports an animal's body, made of chitin and proteins.

Jointed appendages

Limbs that are segmented and used for various functions like swimming and walking.

Segmentation

The division of an organism's body into repeated segments, common in arthropods.

Trilobites

Extinct arthropods that were significant in marine ecosystems during the Paleozoic era.

Crustaceans

Aquatic arthropods such as lobsters, crabs, and barnacles, some of which are adapted to land.

Chelicerates

A group of arthropods characterized by mouthparts shaped like daggers, including scorpions and spiders.

Myriapods

Arthropods with elongated bodies and many legs, such as millipedes and centipedes.

Insects

Account for 80% of all animal species, most being terrestrial and characterized by six legs.

Metamorphosis

The biological process by which an insect undergoes significant changes from larva to adult.

Incomplete metamorphosis

A form of metamorphosis where the young resemble miniature adults, like grasshoppers.

Complete metamorphosis

A life cycle involving a distinct larval stage and complete transformation into an adult, as seen in butterflies.

Malpighian tubules

Structures in insects that help conserve water and excrete waste.

Trachea

Respiratory tubes in insects that facilitate gas exchange.

Spiracles

External openings in insects through which air enters for respiration.

Colonies

Groups of social insects like ants and bees that live and work together.

Adaptation to land

Insects have developed structures to conserve water and adapt to terrestrial living environments.

Body segments of insects

Insects have three main body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.

Wings

Attached to the thorax, these are extensions of the exoskeleton that allow insects to fly.

Invasiveness

The ability of flying insects to invade terrestrial environments due to their adaptation.

Species discovery

New insect species are being found daily in various environments, including extreme habitats.