Marine Arthropods Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What were the first animals to come to land?

Arthropods

What are three advantages to having jointed legs?

More mobility, stability and shock absorption, extremely flexible with a wide range of motion.

What do arthropods use to sense their environments?

Antennas and eyes

Which group of marine animals has more members than any other ocean group?

Arthropods Signup and view all the answers

How did the arthropod exoskeleton help them dominate the ocean?

It provides support and body armor to protect soft organs. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe how a crab molts.

The pressures of the growing body crack open the exoskeleton, and a new shell has already been forming underneath. Signup and view all the answers

About how long does it take the new arthropod shell to completely harden?

2 days Signup and view all the answers

How did the arthropod succeed in the arms race?

By modifying jointed appendages and developing an exoskeleton for protection. Signup and view all the answers

Name one arthropod that has thrived in cold marine waters.

Hydrothermal vent crabs Signup and view all the answers

Describe the crabs living in the hydrothermal vents.

They are very small and almost translucent. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marine Arthropods Overview

Arthropods were the first animals to transition from water to land.
This diverse group includes more members than any other oceanic group.

Advantages of Jointed Legs

Jointed legs enhance mobility, allowing adaptation to various environments.
They provide stability and function as shock absorbers.
Legs offer extreme flexibility and a wide range of motion.

Sensory Adaptations

Antennas are primary sensory organs used by arthropods to interact with their environment.
Arthropod eyes are among the first capable of sharp image formation.
Legs contribute to sensory perception and awareness of surroundings.

Exoskeleton Benefits

The exoskeleton provides external support and acts as body armor to protect internal organs.
The molting process is necessary for growth, as the exoskeleton must be shed to allow for a larger new shell.

Molting Process

As a crab grows, the new exoskeleton develops underneath the old one, which cracks due to pressure.
Crabs can break free from their old shell in less than 30 minutes.

Shell Hardening

A newly formed arthropod shell takes approximately 2 days to harden completely, during which appendages strengthen.

Adaptations in the Arms Race

Arthropods have thrived by modifying jointed appendages for increased mobility and developing a protective exoskeleton that shields them from predators.

Hydrothermal Vent Crabs

Hydrothermal vent crabs are an example of arthropods that have adapted successfully to cold marine environments.
These crabs are characterized by their small size and nearly translucent appearance.

Description

Test your knowledge on marine arthropods with these flashcards. Explore their evolutionary advantages and adaptations that allowed them to thrive both in water and on land. Perfect for students studying marine biology and animal evolution.