Arthropods: Characteristics and Anatomy

What is a characteristic that all invertebrates, including arthropods, have in common?

What is the process called when arthropods shed their shell and grow a new one?

What is the purpose of the carapace in arthropods?

What is a distinctive feature of arthropod legs?

Which arthropod is described as swimming poorly but running quickly?

What is the main purpose of the hermit lobster's shell?

Which arthropod is compared to a boat with many oars?

What is the approximate size of a daphnia?

Which arthropod is said to run worse than crabs but swim worse than shrimp?

Arthropods Characteristics

Arthropods have no bones inside; instead, they have a solid shell on the outside for protection.
The shell, also known as a carapace, is like armor that protects arthropods.
As arthropods grow, their shell becomes small, and they need to shed it and grow a new one, a process called "shedding".

Arthropod Legs

Arthropod legs consist of segments, with joints between them, which allow for bending and unbending.
The segments are the spaces between the joints that don't bend.

Types of Arthropods

Crabs

Crabs are poor swimmers but can run quickly along the bottom of the sea or shore using their strong legs.

Hermit Lobster

Hermit lobsters don't float and walk slowly, as they crawl into empty shells and use them as protection.
The shell protects them from predators.

Shrimp

Shrimp are poor runners but swim well, with a body like a boat with many oars on both sides.

Daphnia

Daphnia swim using their branchy antennas, which they use to row.
Daphnia are a food source for larger aquatic animals.
They are tiny, with a height of about 1 millimeter, and 10 Daphnia can fit on a single notebook cell.

Crayfish

Crayfish can run along the bottom and swim, but they run worse than crabs and swim worse than shrimp.

Explore the unique characteristics and anatomy of arthropods, including their solid shell, shedding process, and segmented legs. Learn about the four 'districts' that can be used to classify arthropods on a map.