exoskeleton

Everyday

1. An exoskeleton is a hard outer covering that supports and protects the body of animals such as insects, spiders, crabs and lobsters, instead of bones inside. tree →
2. A robotic exoskeleton is a machine suit worn on the outside of the body to help a person walk or lift heavy things. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on animals, invertebrates with an exoskeleton (insects, crustaceans, spiders) are compared with vertebrates that have an endoskeleton (bones inside). An animal must shed or moult its exoskeleton to grow. In technology news, exoskeleton suits help people with injured legs walk again. Phrases: «shed its exoskeleton», «a robotic exoskeleton».

Examples

• A beetle's exoskeleton is hard and shiny. tree →
• Crabs moult their exoskeleton as they grow. tree →
• We have an endoskeleton, but insects have an exoskeleton. tree →
• The exoskeleton protects the spider's soft body. tree →
• A robotic exoskeleton helped the man walk again. tree →
• We found the empty exoskeleton of a cicada on a tree. tree →

Note

«Exo-» means outside; «endo-» means inside. Plural: exoskeletons. Trap: snails have a shell, but it is usually not called an exoskeleton in school.