Changing Outfits
The lobster belongs to the crustaceans, which are characterized by, among other
things, an exoskeleton that supports and protects the body of the animal. The
exoskeleton has both advantages and disadvantages. The stiffness of the
structure prevents growth, which is why the animal grows only when the shell is
renewed. This process is called molting. During molting the layers of the new
cuticle harden, and minerals and materials from the old exoskeleton are
reabsorbed to create a new exoskeleton.