Question

In most of the Arthropods, especially in insects, their exoskeleton is shed off and a new exoskeleton is formed, what is the name of the process?
A. Emasculation
B. Metamorphosis
C. Camouflage
D. Moulting

Answer 1

Hint: Arthropoda is the largest phylum of Kingdom Animalia. Arthropods make up the phylum Arthropoda. It includes Prawns, Insects, Spiders, Scorpions, Crabs, Ticks, Mites, Centipedes, and Millipedes. Some characteristic features of Arthropods (arthros means jointed and podos means feet) are:- thick chitinous exoskeleton, Jointed appendages, and jointed legs, the body is segmented and grouped to form the head, thorax, and abdomen.

Complete answer:
Arthropods exoskeletons are made of cuticle, a thick, tough, non-living, and horny or chitinous material secreted by the epidermis. It covers the whole of the outside of the body of Arthropods. A thick and generally inflexible exoskeleton creates a problem for the arthropods because it cannot stretch and restricts growth and locomotion. The problem of growth has been eliminated by the phenomena of moulting, a characteristic of the arthropods.
The process of casting off the dead rigid outer covering (exoskeleton) of the animal body and formation of a new exoskeleton is called moulting or ecdysis. Moulting is controlled by a steroid hormone ecdysone produced by prothoracic glands.Emasculation is the process of removal of both the penis and the testicles (external male sex organs) of a human male.
The transformation of an immature larval individual into a sexually mature reproducing adult of very different form, structure, and habit, is called metamorphosis. It is controlled by juvenile hormones.

Insects show four types of metamorphosis:
-No-metamorphosis
-Incomplete metamorphosis
-Gradual metamorphosis
-Complete metamorphosis
Camouflage is a defence mechanism or strategy that organisms used to blend in with their surroundings. Organisms use this mechanism to hide their location, identity, and movement. Predators and prey animals use camouflage.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Body wall, body covering, external exoskeleton, exoskeleton or the integument are the various names given to the outer layer of the body which is a unique feature of the Arthropods. Moulting or periodic casting of exoskeleton occurs in the young to facilitate growth as the old exoskeleton becomes inelastic.