Question

Phylum Arthropoda
General characteristics.

Answer 1

Characteristics of Phylum Arthropoda are:

1. This is the largest group of animals.
2. These animals are bilaterally symmetrical and segmented.
3. Appendages are attached with the body by arthrodial membrane.
4. Body is covered with chitinous exoskeleton.
5. There is an open blood circulatory system called haemocoel, and so the blood does not flow in well defined blood vessels.
6. The coelomic cavity is blood-filled.
7. They have jointed legs (the word Arthropod means jointed legs).
8. Examples are prawns, crabs, scorpions, cockroaches, spiders, butterflies, etc.

Answer 2

Answer AND Explanation:

1. They have jointed appendages which serve different functions in different organisms
2. The body is covered by an outer rigid coat called exoskeleton made of chitin.
3. Their bodies are divided into three parts, the head, thorax and abdomen. In some the head and the thorax are fused to form cephalothorax.
4. The digestive system is complete with a mouth, foregut, hindgut and anus.
5. They have an open circulatory system consisting of the heart which pumps blood into hemocoel or blood cavities.
6. Gaseous exchange takes place through trachea, gils or book lungs.