BIO 326 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Ecdysis, Sclerotin, Melanin
18 Dec 2017
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Document Summary
Exoskeleton (or integument in insects) has many of the same functions as the endoskeleton of humans and has several advantages over the endoskeleton. Provides protection to the internal organs (and serves as a defense mechanism against predators) Heavy, so only animals that have remained relatively small have been successful with exoskeletons. Does not grow, so animal must shed the exoskeleton several times, leaving it vulnerable between molts. Another important function of the exoskeleton is the maintenance of homeostasis. Regulation of conditions inside an organism to remain relatively constant (e. g. , body temperature, ph, ions) Regulators maintain internal conditions even as external conditions change. Conformers allow internal conditions to reflect external conditions. Stems from the surface area/volume ratio problem. One factor that is regulated by the exoskeleton in insects is the internal water balance. Insect integument or exoskeleton has two main layers. Epidermis is a layer of living tissue, with glands that secrete .
