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Quizzes > Science > Biology

Mollusca & Arthropoda Trivia Quiz - Are You an Invertebrate Expert?

Take our invertebrate quiz to master mollusca facts & arthropoda trivia!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art mollusca and arthropoda quiz with snail clam crab starfish insect paper cut shapes on dark blue background

Welcome to our Mollusca Arthropoda Quiz, the ultimate Animal Phyla Test designed for curious minds who love invertebrates! Ready to take your Invertebrate Quiz skills to the next level with fun Arthropoda Trivia and challenging Mollusca Facts Quiz questions? Whether you're identifying cephalopods' clever camouflage or naming the joints of arachnids, this free quiz will sharpen your knowledge and boost your confidence. Craving more? Dive into our arthropods quiz or explore the origins with the Origins of Invertebrates Quiz . Let's see if you're truly an invertebrate pro - start now! Jump right in and challenge yourself today!

Which body plan characteristic is common to all arthropods?
Radula
Exoskeleton
Water vascular system
Notochord
All arthropods possess a hard external skeleton called an exoskeleton, which provides structural support and protection. This exoskeleton is periodically shed and replaced through molting. Other listed features like a notochord and water vascular system are found in different phyla. Learn more
Which of these animals is a mollusk?
Earthworm
Snail
Centipede
Jellyfish
Snails belong to the phylum Mollusca and are characterized by a soft body, often with a coiled shell. Earthworms are annelids, centipedes are arthropods, and jellyfish belong to Cnidaria. The molluscan body plan includes a muscular foot, a visceral mass, and a mantle. Learn more
What is the primary component of an arthropod's exoskeleton?
Cellulose
Keratin
Chitin
Calcium carbonate
Arthropods have an exoskeleton made primarily of chitin, a polysaccharide that provides both strength and flexibility. This material is chemically similar to the cellulose found in plants but contains nitrogen. Keratin is found in vertebrate hair and nails, while cellulose and calcium carbonate function in plant walls and molluscan shells respectively. Learn more
Which feeding structure is unique to most mollusks (except bivalves)?
Proboscis
Radula
Mandible
Pharynx
The radula is a ribbon-like toothed organ used by many mollusks to scrape or cut food before ingestion. Bivalves lack a radula and instead filter feed using gills. Mandibles are found in arthropods, while a proboscis and pharynx are different feeding adaptations. Learn more
Which class of mollusks is known for having a closed circulatory system?
Gastropoda
Bivalvia
Cephalopoda
Polyplacophora
Cephalopods, such as squids and octopuses, possess a closed circulatory system, which allows more efficient oxygen transport for their active lifestyles. In contrast, most other mollusks have an open circulatory system. Cephalopod vessels remain enclosed within vessels rather than bathing organs directly in blood. Learn more
What is the process called when arthropods shed their exoskeleton to grow?
Metamorphosis
Ecdysis
Photosynthesis
Regeneration
Ecdysis is the molting process arthropods use to grow, during which they shed their old exoskeleton and form a new, larger one. Metamorphosis refers to the developmental transitions between life stages. Photosynthesis and regeneration are unrelated to arthropod molting. Learn more
In insects, gas exchange occurs primarily through which structures?
Gills
Spiracles and tracheae
Lungs
Skin diffusion
Insects breathe through a network of internal tubes called tracheae, which open externally via small holes called spiracles. This system directly delivers oxygen to tissues without the need for lungs. Gills are found in aquatic animals, while skin diffusion is common in some amphibians. Learn more
Which arthropod subphylum includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimp?
Chelicerata
Crustacea
Myriapoda
Hexapoda
Crustacea is the subphylum containing familiar marine and freshwater species like crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. Chelicerata includes spiders and scorpions, Myriapoda includes centipedes and millipedes, and Hexapoda includes insects. Crustaceans often have two pairs of antennae and biramous limbs. Learn more
The trochophore larva is characteristic of which groups?
Cnidaria and Echinodermata
Mollusca and Annelida
Arthropoda and Chordata
Nematoda and Platyhelminthes
Trochophore larvae are a free-swimming, planktonic larval stage found in many marine mollusks and annelid worms. This larval form features bands of cilia used for locomotion and feeding. The presence of trochophore larvae suggests evolutionary relationships between these phyla. Learn more
Which excretory organs are found in insects and some arachnids but not in crustaceans?
Nephridia
Malpighian tubules
Flame cells
Antennal glands
Malpighian tubules are slender, blind-ended tubes in the hemocoel of insects and some arachnids that remove nitrogenous wastes from the hemolymph. Crustaceans typically use antennal glands (also called green glands) instead. Nephridia are found in annelids, while flame cells occur in flatworms. Learn more
What is the primary function of the molluscan mantle?
Digestion
Locomotion
Shell secretion and respiration
Reproduction
The mantle is a significant organ in mollusks that secretes the shell and often houses respiratory structures like gills. It forms the mantle cavity, which facilitates gas exchange and excretion. While it plays roles in reproduction indirectly through the mantle cavity, its primary functions are shell formation and respiration. Learn more
Which gene complex is primarily responsible for determining segment identity in arthropods?
Pax genes
Homeobox (Hox) genes
P53 genes
SRY genes
Hox genes are a subset of homeobox genes that control the identity and development of body segments along the anterior-posterior axis in arthropods. Their spatial expression patterns determine the fate of each segment. Mutations in Hox genes can result in segment identity transformations. Learn more
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Study Outcomes

  1. Differentiate Mollusca and Arthropoda Traits -

    Understand the defining anatomical and physiological features that distinguish molluscs from arthropods, such as body segmentation, exoskeleton presence, and locomotion methods.

  2. Identify Representative Species -

    Recognize and name common examples of molluscs (e.g., snails, octopuses) and arthropods (e.g., insects, crustaceans) through targeted quiz questions.

  3. Recall Key Invertebrate Facts -

    Memorize essential mollusca facts and arthropoda trivia that highlight their ecological roles, life cycles, and unique adaptations.

  4. Apply Classification Criteria -

    Use learned diagnostic characteristics to classify unknown specimens or images into the correct phylum during the invertebrate quiz.

  5. Evaluate Invertebrate Expertise -

    Assess and track your knowledge level with instant feedback, helping you gauge whether you're an invertebrate pro and identify areas for further study.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Phylum Classification and Diversity -

    Mollusca includes classes like Gastropoda (snails), Bivalvia (clams), Cephalopoda (octopuses), and Polyplacophora (chitons), while Arthropoda boasts Chelicerata (spiders), Hexapoda (insects), Myriapoda (centipedes), and Pancrustacea (crustaceans and kin). A handy mnemonic is "GBCP" for the four mollusc classes and "CHMP" for the four arthropod groups. This classification framework helps organize the vast invertebrate diversity into digestible chunks for study.

  2. Body Plans and Key Structures -

    Molluscs typically feature a muscular foot, a mantle that secretes the shell, and a visceral mass housing organs, whereas arthropods possess a chitinous exoskeleton and jointed appendages segmented into head, thorax, and abdomen. Remember "FMA" for Foot, Mantle, and Anatomical organs in molluscs. Understanding these structural contrasts is crucial for identification and comparative anatomy quizzes.

  3. Feeding Mechanisms and Adaptations -

    Many molluscs use a rasping radula to graze algae (e.g., snails), while bivalves filter-feed by siphoning water through gills. In arthropods, mouthparts vary from biting and chewing in insects to piercing-sucking in mosquitoes and filter-feeding in krill. Seeing these feeding modes in action gives context to quiz questions about ecological roles and evolutionary adaptations.

  4. Reproductive Strategies -

    Mollusca exhibit both broadcast spawning (bivalves releasing gametes) and complex mate-finding behaviors in cephalopods, with some octopus species caring for eggs. Arthropods range from egg clusters in insects to live-bearing in certain scorpions, illustrating diverse reproductive tactics. Reviewing these life-history strategies helps nail questions on developmental stages and reproductive ecology.

  5. Ecological Roles and Importance -

    Molluscs contribute to nutrient cycling as grazers and filterers and serve as food for many predators, while arthropods are key pollinators, decomposers, and vectors in ecosystems worldwide. For instance, bees (Hexapoda) pollinate crops and krill (Pancrustacea) support marine food webs. Recognizing these roles underscores why Mollusca Arthropoda Quiz and invertebrate trivia often highlight ecosystem services.

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