Snails and beetles have exoskeletons. Hypothesize the advantages and disadvantages of having an exoskeleton rather than a backbone. Explain your answer in one to two sentences.

Answer 1

One advantage of having an exoskeleton is that it provides protection for the organism and allows for attachment points for muscles. However, a disadvantage is that as the organism grows, it must molt and shed its exoskeleton in order to increase in size, leaving it vulnerable during this process.