Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

Which of the following describes the nature of complete metamorphosis?

1. Gradual change through life stages

2. Significant changes in form between stages

3. Minimal transformation as an adult

4. Development includes only two stages

The correct answer is: Significant changes in form between stages

The choice that identifies significant changes in form between stages accurately reflects the nature of complete metamorphosis. In organisms that undergo complete metamorphosis, like butterflies, beetles, and frogs, there are distinct and marked transformations throughout their life cycles. This process consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each of these stages looks significantly different from the others. For instance, the larval stage (such as a caterpillar) is often entirely different in appearance and behavior from the adult stage (a butterfly). This drastic change not only involves physical characteristics but also includes changes in habitat and dietary needs, underscoring the idea of significant transformation during this type of development. In contrast, gradual change through life stages would suggest a more continuous development, which characterizes incomplete metamorphosis as seen in grasshoppers, where nymphs resemble smaller adults. Minimal transformation would imply that the adult form does not vary much from the juvenile, which is not typical in complete metamorphosis. Additionally, the concept of development only including two stages reflects incomplete metamorphosis, where there are only egg and adult stages, lacking the larva and pupa phases present in complete metamorphosis.