Podcast
Questions and Answers
What were the first animals to come to land?
What were the first animals to come to land?
Arthropods
What are three advantages to having jointed legs?
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?
What do arthropods use to sense their environments?
Antennas and eyes
Which group of marine animals has more members than any other ocean group?
Which group of marine animals has more members than any other ocean group?
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How did the arthropod exoskeleton help them dominate the ocean?
How did the arthropod exoskeleton help them dominate the ocean?
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Briefly describe how a crab molts.
Briefly describe how a crab molts.
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About how long does it take the new arthropod shell to completely harden?
About how long does it take the new arthropod shell to completely harden?
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How did the arthropod succeed in the arms race?
How did the arthropod succeed in the arms race?
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Name one arthropod that has thrived in cold marine waters.
Name one arthropod that has thrived in cold marine waters.
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Describe the crabs living in the hydrothermal vents.
Describe the crabs living in the hydrothermal vents.
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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.
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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.
