ScienceAugust 21, 2026
exoskeleton
EK-soh-skel-uh-ten
Definition
A hard, rigid outer covering that provides support and protection for the body of an invertebrate, such as a lobster.
Etymology
The word comes from the Greek 'exo,' meaning 'outside,' and 'skeleton,' meaning 'dried body' or 'mummy.' It first appeared in biology in the 19th century to describe the hard external structures of invertebrates.
In the news
In this article, the lobster is described as shedding its exoskeleton through the process of molting, which allows it to grow larger over time. This cycle of shedding and regrowing the shell is central to the lobster's unusual growth pattern.
This Sea Creature’s Secret to Near-Immortality Shocks Scientists and Defies Logic
Read the full article ↗AOL.com