Do insects have internal or external skeletons?

Insects possess external skeletons, also known as exoskeletons. This structural feature is composed of a tough, chitinous material that provides support, protection, and a barrier against dehydration. The exoskeleton serves multiple purposes: it acts as armor, helps in muscle attachment for movement, and allows for the organism's body shape to be maintained.

Insects do not have internal skeletons like mammals, which have endoskeletons made of bones. The absence of an internal skeleton means that insects rely entirely on their exoskeletons for structural integrity and protection.

This distinction in skeletal types is fundamental to understanding insect biology and their adaptations, including how they grow and molt their exoskeletons as they develop. Thus, the answer accurately reflects the characteristic feature of insects in the context of their anatomy.