Question

Cockroaches have an outer skeleton
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Cockroaches are nocturnal animals that belong to the phylum Arthropoda. The cockroaches are omnipresent in nature. The body of the animal is suited for its nocturnal habit. It is narrow, elongated and compressed dorsoventrally. The body is reddish brown in color.

Complete step by step answer: Cockroaches are the members belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. The body of cockroaches is segmented and it is divided into head, thorax and abdomen. There are three pairs of jointed appendages or legs which are present in the region of the thorax. The body of the cockroaches are adapted to a variety of adaptations and movements and are utilized for various activities such as walking, climbing and running.
The body of the cockroaches is completely covered by an outer skeleton which is known as the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is hard and it is dark brown in colour. Each segment consists of a specific segment and the exoskeleton of each segment has four separate sclerites. The sclerites of the four segments are joined together by a delicate and elastic articular membrane.
The sclerites that are present on the dorsal side are known as the tergite. The ventral sclerites are known as the sternite and the sclerites present on the lateral sides are known as pleuritis. The exoskeleton is made up of a thick and strong chitinous cuticle. The cuticle provides protection to the body by preventing unnecessary loss of water and providing support against mechanical shock especially external shock. The exoskeleton serves as a point of attachment of the muscles. Thus, the exoskeleton performs a set of different functional roles.
In cockroaches, the body regularly sheds the exoskeleton and the process of shedding the outgrown exoskeleton is known as moulting. The old exoskeleton is replaced by a new exoskeleton. In the process of moulting, the new one is formed just beneath the old one. When the old one is shed, the new exoskeleton remains soft and partially set which goes on to grow for some time and eventually sets in. If the animal is unable to shed the old exoskeleton, it may lead to suffocation of the organism and it may not reach its full maturity. This also affects reproductive processes.
Therefore, the correct option is option A.

Note: The body of the cockroaches are soft and it is divided into head, thorax and abdomen. The internal organs of the body are delicate and soft and a hard protective covering is present over the body and this covering is known as exoskeleton. The exoskeleton protects the body from excessive moisture loss, injury through shock and other damages.