Phylum Arthropoda Quiz
Arthropoda is the largest phylum of Animalia, containing over two-thirds of all named species on Earth. This quiz tests the diagnostic features of the phylum — from the chitinous exoskeleton and jointed appendages to the open circulatory system, malpighian tubules, and the variety of respiratory organs.
What You Will Practise
- Body plan: head, thorax and abdomen; segmentation and coelom
- Respiration: gills, book gills, book lungs, tracheal system
- Sensory and excretory organs: antennae, compound and simple eyes, statocysts, malpighian tubules
- Reproduction: dioecious, internal fertilisation, mostly oviparous, direct or indirect development
- Economically important examples: Apis, Bombyx, Laccifer, Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Locusta, Limulus
Work through all 15 questions carefully — each explanation reinforces a key exam point from Lesson 16.
Q1. Which phylum is described as the largest phylum of Animalia?
Arthropoda is the largest phylum of Animalia and includes insects. Mollusca is the second largest animal phylum.
Q2. Approximately what fraction of all named species on Earth are arthropods?
Over two-thirds of all named species on earth are arthropods, which explains why the phylum is the largest in Animalia.
Q3. The body of arthropods is covered by which type of exoskeleton?
The body of arthropods is covered by a chitinous exoskeleton, which provides protection and support. A calcareous shell is characteristic of molluscs.
Q4. The name Arthropoda is derived from Greek words meaning:
The name comes from arthros meaning joint and poda meaning appendages, referring to the jointed limbs.
Q5. The arthropod body consists of which three regions?
The body of arthropods consists of head, thorax and abdomen. The mantle and muscular foot belong to molluscs.
Q6. Which of the following is NOT a respiratory organ found in arthropods?
Respiratory organs of arthropods are gills, book gills, book lungs or tracheal system. The radula is a rasping feeding organ of molluscs.
Q7. The circulatory system of arthropods is of which type?
The circulatory system of arthropods is of the open type, unlike the closed vessels seen in annelids.
Q8. Excretion in arthropods takes place through which structures?
Excretion takes place through malpighian tubules. Nephridia occur in annelids and flame cells in flatworms.
Q9. Which sensory organs are present in arthropods?
Sensory organs such as antennae, eyes (compound and simple) and statocysts or balancing organs are present in arthropods.
Q10. Statocysts in arthropods function as:
Statocysts are balancing organs. They are listed among the sensory organs of arthropods.
Q11. Regarding reproduction, arthropods are:
Arthropods are mostly dioecious, fertilisation is usually internal, and they are mostly oviparous. Development may be direct or indirect.
Q12. Which of the following is an economically important insect of the phylum Arthropoda?
Apis (honey bee) is listed as an economically important insect, along with Bombyx (silkworm) and Laccifer (lac insect).
Q13. Which of the following is a vector (mosquito) belonging to Arthropoda?
Anopheles, Culex and Aedes are mosquitoes listed as vectors. Bombyx and Laccifer are economically important insects.
Q14. Limulus, the king crab, is described in the lesson as a:
Limulus (king crab) is described as a living fossil. Locusta (locust) is the gregarious pest.
Q15. Which set of features correctly describes the level of organisation and body symmetry of arthropods?
Arthropods have organ-system level of organisation and are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, segmented and coelomate animals.