Tissues and Supporting Systems

All arthropods have a segmented body enclosed in a tough, jointed exoskeleton made of chitin which gives structural rigidity to the body and points of muscle attachment.

Cartilages consist of cells embedded in a hard organic matrix known as chondrin. The embedded cells are the chondroblasts. Complex cartilages, like those of intervertebral discs and pinna of the car, have their matrix strengthened with connective tissue fibers.