EXOSKELETON Meaning and
Definition
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The term "exoskeleton" refers to a rigid external covering or support structure found in certain organisms, primarily invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and arachnids. It can be defined as a protective, non-living structure that serves several vital functions, including providing mechanical support, protection against predators and physical damage, and serving as a surface for muscle attachment.
Exoskeletons are typically composed of a tough, yet flexible material known as chitin. This chitinous structure is produced by specialized cells within the organism's epidermis. The exoskeleton functions as a sort of armor that encases the animal's body and provides protection to its internal organs. It is often segmented, enabling flexibility and movement.
Furthermore, exoskeletons play a key role in locomotion. By providing attachment points for muscles, they allow for the contraction and movement necessary for the organism to carry out various activities, such as walking, flying, or swimming.
While exoskeletons offer numerous advantages, such as structural support and protection, they also present some limitations. As the organism grows, it must shed or molt its exoskeleton periodically in a process called ecdysis to accommodate its increasing size. This molting process involves the formation of a new, larger exoskeleton, which is initially soft and vulnerable until it hardens.
Overall, exoskeletons are remarkable adaptations that have evolved to equip certain organisms with a durable, protective, and functional outer cover, enabling them to thrive in diverse environments.
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1. All hard parts, such as hair, teeth, nails, feathers, dermal plates, scales, etc., developed from the ectoderm or mesoderm in vertebrates. 2. The outer chitinous envelope of an insect.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In anat., the hardened superficial tissues of external protection, as the crusts of crabs, the plates of reptiles, and the scales of fishes.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of EXOSKELETON
The word "exoskeleton" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "exo", meaning "outer", and "skeleton", meaning "dried body" or "mummy". The word was originally coined in the mid-19th century to describe the external structural framework or support system found in certain invertebrate animals, such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. The exoskeleton serves as a protective outer covering that provides support and shape to the organisms that possess it.
