Final answer:
Ecdysis is the process through which arthropods shed their exoskeleton to allow for growth. It is triggered by hormonal changes and is essential for arthropod development. The correct association of ecdysis with arthropods is Growth and Molting.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Ecdysis
The term ecdysis refers to the process of molting that arthropods, such as insects, crustaceans, and arachnids, undergo to shed their exoskeleton. This exoskeleton is made of chitin and, due to its rigidity, must be periodically shed to allow for growth.
This physiological process is triggered by hormonal changes within the arthropod, specifically the release of hormones like ecdysone.
Effect on Arthropod Growth
Ecdysis is crucial for arthropod growth. Since the rigid exoskeleton does not expand, molting allows these creatures to increase in size. Immediately after molting, their new exoskeleton is soft and they are vulnerable to predation.
However, this vulnerability is a necessary trade-off for the individual's continued growth and development. Additionally, the frequency and number of molts can evolve over time, leading to great diversity in size and morphology among arthropod species.
The correct answer to the effect of ecdysis on arthropods is: C) Growth and molting.