Arthropods Vocab Crossword Puzzle

QUESTIONS LIST:

• arthropoda: a phylum of invertebrate animals characterized by their jointed limbs and segmented bodies, including insects, crustaceans, arachnids, and myriapods
• exoskeleton: a hard external skeleton that provides support and protection for arthropods, made primarily of chitin
• molting: the process of shedding the exoskeleton to allow for growth in arthropods, often accompanied by the formation of a new, larger exoskeleton
• cephalothorax: the fused head and thorax region found in many arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids
• abdomen: the posterior body region of arthropods, typically housing internal organs and often bearing appendages or structures for various functions
• chelicerate: a subphylum of arthropods characterized by having chelicerae, including spiders, scorpions, ticks, and horseshoe crabs
• mandible: jaw-like mouthparts found in many arthropods used for chewing and manipulating food
• antennae: sensory appendages found on the heads of many arthropods, used for detecting stimuli such as touch, smell, and taste
• compound eyes: eyes composed of multiple individual visual units called ommatidia, found in many arthropods, providing a wide field of view and detecting motion
• maxillae: appendages located behind the mandibles in many arthropods, often involved in manipulating food or aiding in feeding
• tracheal system: a respiratory system found in insects and some other arthropods, consisting of a network of tubes (tracheae) that deliver oxygen directly to tissues
• book lungs: respiratory organs found in some arachnids, consisting of parallel folds resembling the pages of a book, allowing for gas exchange
• swimmerets: paired appendages found on the abdomen of many crustaceans, used for swimming, reproduction, and sometimes respiration
• carapace: a hard, protective shell covering the dorsal side of some arthropods, particularly crustaceans like crabs and lobsters
• cerci: paired appendages found on the rear segments of many arthropods, serving various functions such as sensing vibrations, detecting predators, or aiding in navigation