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Anatomy and Physiology of the Insect Body In the classification system of animals, insect is a class belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. Therefore, as an arthropod, insects share common characteristics. Their bodies are segmented and they have jointed appendages. An outer skeleton, or an exoskeleton, covers the bodies of all arthropods. The exoskeleton is made of a substance called chitin, which protects the soft body parts. As the insect grows it sheds its exoskeleton in a process called molting. The arthropods have complex circulatory and nervous systems. The blood is not circulated through vessels and is therefore called an open circulatory system. Air enters and leaves the body through tiny openings on the sides of the body called spiracles. Arthropoda. Spiracles.