Phylum
Arthropoda
3 (of 3) 
Subphylum
Hexapoda
The following questions will
help you to review the material from the lecture, the laboratory, as
well as the text.
- Give examples of animals
found in the subphylum Hexapoda.
- Characterize the
subphylum.
- Characterize the class
Insecta.
- How many species of
insects have been described across the world?
- What is the percentage of
insects compared to all described species on the planet?
- Compared to all described
animal species?
- What are the three most
common insect orders in terms of species diversity?
- Can you give some
examples of the most common insect orders (name ten).
- The study insects is
referred to as _________________.
- When did insects first
invade land? How do we know?
- What is a preadaptation?
- What kind of
preadaptations did the ancestors to insects have as they invaded
land?
- Briefly describe the
overall external anatomy of an insect. Label major body parts.
- How did flight evolve in
insects? What are the ecological and evolutionary advantages of
flight?
- How is thermoregulation
linked to the phenomenon of flight in insects?
- What is the difference
between direct and indirect flight?
- How do insects move
(apart from flight)? How do they use their muscles in this process?
- Describe the mouth parts
of an insect. What is the evolutionary significance of the changes
that occurred in the shape and position of these mouth parts as the
different insect orders evolved?
- Give examples of how
these mouth parts have become modified in different types of
insects.
- Describe the different
parts of the digestive system of an insect. What is the role of the
gastric ceca?
- What is the role of the
Malpighian tubules? Describe their structure and function.
- What is the significance
of uric acid as the method to excrete nitrogenous waste among
insects?
- How does gas exchange
occur in insects? Describe the tracheal system.
- What kind of circulatory
system is found in insects?
What is the significance of this type of system as related to gas
exchange? What is transported by the circulatory system in insects?
- Briefly describe the
structure of nervous systems in insects. It is often said that
insects are "hard-wired". Explain!
- Describe the structure
and function of the compound eyes in insects.
- What are ocelli?
- What is the sensory
function of many of the hairs found penetrating the integument of
insects?
- What is the function of
tympanal organs?
- How do insects reproduce?
- Insects vary in how they
develop throughout their life cycle. There are three major "paths":
no metamorphosis, incomplete metamorphosis as well as complete
metamorphosis. Describe the difference between these different
types. Give an example of an insect species for each type of
development.
- Describe the life cycle
of a grasshopper.
- Describe the life cycle
of a beetle.
- Compare and contrast the
two life cycles in the questions above. How do they differ? How are
they similar?
- What is the ecological
and evolutionary significance of metamorphosis among insects (recall
that not all insect orders go through this process in their life
cycles).
- Describe the evolution of
social systems among insects.
- Give examples of social
insects and describe the insect society in a species of your choice.
- Summarize: What
are the characteristics of the subphylum Hexapoda?
- Summarize: What
are the names of the different taxa that you encountered in this
section? Make a table. Memorize the taxa.
Recommended Reading:
Serious but Fascinating
Reading:
Serious Reading &
Texts:
Field Guides/
Information about specific insects & areas:
