Exoskeleton: Tough, waxy, non-living chitinous exoskeleton protects the body of the cockroach. It is made up of nitrogenous polysaccharide – chitin that provides strength, elasticity and surface area for attachment of muscles. Each body segment of cockroach is covered by four chitinous plates called sclerites namely, dorsal tergum, ventral sternum and two lateral pleurons.