[Campbell Biology P.1182] Which of the following statements correctly differentiates between ... | Practice Question
Which of the following statements correctly differentiates between hydrostatic skeletons, exoskeletons, and endoskeletons based on the provided text?
A: Hydrostatic skeletons are primarily found in aquatic animals and cannot provide support for terrestrial locomotion like walking, unlike exoskeletons and endoskeletons.
B: Exoskeletons, such as clam shells, are always shed and re-grown during animal growth, similar to how arthropod cuticles are molted.
C: Endoskeletons are always composed of bone and cartilage, making them rigid and incapable of allowing shape changes, unlike hydrostatic skeletons.
D: While all three skeleton types provide support, only hydrostatic skeletons rely solely on fluid pressure for shape maintenance and movement.
Explanation
The text explicitly states that 'a hydrostatic skeleton cannot support walking or running, in which an animal's body is held off the ground.' In contrast, exoskeletons e.g., in insects and endoskeletons e.g., in vertebrates clearly provide support for terrestrial locomotion.