Which term describes the periodic shedding of the exoskeleton in arthropods and some other invertebrates?

Which term describes the periodic shedding of the exoskeleton in arthropods and some other invertebrates?

• A. Invertebrate
• B. Metamerism
• C. Molt
• D. Hermatypic

Answer: (C)

Growth in arthropods with hard exoskeletons happens by molting. Because the exoskeleton cannot expand as the animal grows, the organism periodically sheds this outer layer and forms a new, larger one. This shedding event is called molting, enabling size increase and renewal of the exoskeleton. The other terms don’t describe this process: an invertebrate is just a broad classification, metamerism refers to segmented body plans, and hermatypic describes reef-building corals.

Growth in arthropods with hard exoskeletons happens by molting. Because the exoskeleton cannot expand as the animal grows, the organism periodically sheds this outer layer and forms a new, larger one. This shedding event is called molting, enabling size increase and renewal of the exoskeleton. The other terms don’t describe this process: an invertebrate is just a broad classification, metamerism refers to segmented body plans, and hermatypic describes reef-building corals.