Insects have how many body segments, one pair of antennae, and how many pairs of legs?

Insects have how many body segments, one pair of antennae, and how many pairs of legs?

• A. Three segments; one pair of antennae; three pairs of legs
• B. Two segments; two pairs of antennae; four pairs of legs
• C. Three segments; one pair of antennae; two pairs of legs
• D. Four segments; one pair of antennae; two pairs of legs

Answer: (A)

Insects have a body divided into three segments (head, thorax, abdomen), one pair of antennae, and six legs (three pairs) attach to the thorax. This combination—three body segments, one set of antennae, and three pairs of legs—is characteristic of insects. The description in the question matches this pattern exactly. Other arthropods show different traits, such as fewer or more body segments, or more than six legs, which is why the other options don’t fit.

Insects have a body divided into three segments (head, thorax, abdomen), one pair of antennae, and six legs (three pairs) attach to the thorax. This combination—three body segments, one set of antennae, and three pairs of legs—is characteristic of insects. The description in the question matches this pattern exactly. Other arthropods show different traits, such as fewer or more body segments, or more than six legs, which is why the other options don’t fit.