In a viva, the examiner says: an arthropod and a nematode are grouped together in modern discussions because both shed an outer cuticle during growth. The expected answer is: (274)

Correct Answer: B

ecdysis of a cuticle

Molting or ecdysis is a key ecdysozoan character. Arthropods molt a chitinous exoskeleton, and nematodes molt a cuticle during growth. This question is designed as a comparison-based item to reduce thin-content style repetition and improve conceptual depth.