Question:

In arachnids, these are modified into book lungs

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Book lungs of arachnids are evolutionary modifications of mesosomal appendages and are characteristic respiratory organs of spiders and scorpions.
Updated On: Jun 12, 2026
  • Appendages of prosoma
  • Appendages of mesosoma
  • Appendages of metasoma
  • Appendages of abdomen
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Arachnids belong to Phylum Arthropoda and include spiders, scorpions, ticks and mites. Their body is divided into two major regions:
• Prosoma (cephalothorax)
• Opisthosoma (abdomen) In many arachnids, the abdomen can further be divided into mesosoma and metasoma. Book lungs are specialized respiratory organs that help in gaseous exchange.

Step 1: Understand the structure of book lungs.
Book lungs are internal respiratory organs consisting of numerous thin leaf-like lamellae arranged like pages of a book. These lamellae provide a large surface area for diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Step 2: Study their evolutionary origin.
Book lungs are believed to have evolved from appendages present on the mesosomal segments of ancestral arachnids. These appendages became modified during evolution to perform respiratory functions.

Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options.
Prosomal appendages are modified into walking legs, pedipalps and chelicerae. Metasomal appendages are not involved in the formation of book lungs. Therefore options (A), (C) and (D) are incorrect.

Step 4: Final conclusion.
Book lungs are modified from: \[ \boxed{\text{Appendages of Mesosoma}} \] Hence option (B) is correct.
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