BIOL11300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Sclerotin, Chitin, Polysaccharide
Document Summary
Insects do not have bones, so the exoskeleton is what keeps all of their muscles and tissue together. Long chained molecule, parallel bundles laid down as overlapping layers. The strength of an exoskeleton depends on proteins and their location. Many of the more common cuticular patterns undergo sclerotization. Thermal insulation tracheal system allows oxygen to get to cells with minimal water loss. Thermal regulation some insects use exoskeleton and structure to produce color. Diffraction: when coloring changes based on the angle of viewing. Transmission of light may be in uenced by chemicals in the exoskeleton. Interference: light waves of different lengths enter the exoskeleton and get separated and are re ected in a new arrangement. Antennae may vary in sexes of the same species.