What is the term used to described the changes in body form through which insects go?

What is the term used to described the changes in body form through which insects go?

• A. Mimetism
• B. Mutation
• C. Metamorphosis
• D. Adaptation

Answer: (C)

The changes in body form insects undergo as they develop are described by metamorphosis. This term captures the dramatic transformation between life stages, not just growth in size. In complete metamorphosis, insects pass through distinct stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—where the larva and adult look very different (for example, a caterpillar becoming a butterfly). In incomplete metamorphosis, nymphs resemble smaller versions of the adult and gradually reach maturity through molts. The other terms don’t describe this developmental overhaul: mimicry is about appearance to deceive predators, mutation is a genetic change, and adaptation is a broad process of adjusting to the environment.

The changes in body form insects undergo as they develop are described by metamorphosis. This term captures the dramatic transformation between life stages, not just growth in size. In complete metamorphosis, insects pass through distinct stages—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—where the larva and adult look very different (for example, a caterpillar becoming a butterfly). In incomplete metamorphosis, nymphs resemble smaller versions of the adult and gradually reach maturity through molts. The other terms don’t describe this developmental overhaul: mimicry is about appearance to deceive predators, mutation is a genetic change, and adaptation is a broad process of adjusting to the environment.