Skeletal System
Skeletal System of a PrawnThe key features of the prawn skeleton are that it is an exoskeleton that covers the entire body of the prawn and is made up of chitin, which is a type of sugar. The skeleton protects the prawn’s organs and supports its body. Other animals that have this kind of skeleton are crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans.It is different to our skeletal system as its skeleton is external and ours is internal. There system also isn’t as complex as ours as they do not have as many individual bones or joints.
The benefits of this kind of system are that there is more protection for the entire body instead of an endoskeleton (internal skeleton) which still leaves important structures such as veins and arteries still at risk. An exoskeleton limits the amount of movement the prawn has, as the more joints and gaps in the skeleton which allows more movement. Would mean the prawn is more vulnerable. In order for prawns to grow they need to periodically shed there shell in a process called moulting(see fig2). Before this occurs the prawn re-absorbs the protein and chitin from its old shell to help form the new one. |