Difference between Endoskeleton and Exoskeleton
Location of Endoskeleton and Exoskeleton
An endoskeleton is located on the inside of the body of an animal while an exoskeleton is located on the outside of the body of an animal.
Development of Endoskeleton and Exoskeleton
In vertebrate animals with an endoskeleton, cartilage and bone is deposited. In invertebrates such as arthropods chitin and protein is deposited, while in some molluscs, a calcium carbonate shell is deposited.
Support and body size of Endoskeleton and Exoskeleton
An endoskeleton can support a large body size but an exoskeleton cannot support a large body size.
Movement of Endoskeleton and Exoskeleton
An endoskeleton enables movement by muscles pulling on bones, while an exoskeleton enables movement by having membranous joints between appendages.
Protection from predators
Animals with an endoskeleton are protected from predators by moving away using muscles that are joined to their bones, while animals with an exoskeleton are protected from predators by having exoskeleton modifications such as spines or camouflage colors.
Protection from physical forces
An endoskeleton is usually stronger and provides more protection from physical forces than an exoskeleton.
Repair and replacement
Vertebrate endoskeleton takes a long time to heal with cartilage and then bone being deposited. An exoskeleton can be replaced quite quickly with chitin and protein, or calcium carbonate being deposited.
Blood supply of Endoskeleton and Exoskeleton
An endoskeleton contains a blood supply, but this is not the case with an exoskeleton.
Animal examples
An endoskeleton is found in chordates such as vertebrates while an exoskeleton is found in arthropods and some molluscs.