Student Article
Student Article: Why Some Creatures Transform
Metamorphosis (noun): The process in which an animal or insect changes its shape or form as it grows.
Amphibian (noun): An animal that can live both in water and on land.
Bilateral symmetry (noun): A type of body arrangement where an organism's left and right sides are mirror images of each other.
Hormone (noun): A chemical in the body that controls growth and changes.
Exoskeleton (noun): A hard outer structure that provides protection and support for some animals.
Ecological niche (noun): The role and position an organism has in its environment.
Metamorphosis is a fascinating process where animals undergo dramatic changes in form. We first encounter this through stories like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," where a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. This transformation creates significant differences between larvae and adults.
What animals go through metamorphosis?
Metamorphosis is common in insects and amphibians. Flatfish, for example, start with bilateral symmetry but change as they grow, with one eye moving to the other side of their body.
Do insects go through metamorphosis?
Insects like butterflies, beetles, and dragonflies undergo metamorphosis. They start as larvae, such as caterpillars, and transform into adults with wings. Primitive insects like silverfish do not change much and look like small adults when they hatch.
What about amphibians?
Frogs and salamanders are amphibians that undergo metamorphosis. Frogs start as tadpoles with gills and tails. As they grow, they develop lungs and legs, and their tails disappear. Salamanders also change from having tails for swimming to having legs for walking on land.
How does metamorphosis work?
Metamorphosis involves the remodeling of an animal's body through cell changes controlled by hormones. Insects shed their exoskeleton to grow, while amphibians change their body parts to adapt to life on land.
Why is metamorphosis important?
Metamorphosis allows animals to occupy different ecological niches at different life stages, reducing competition for resources. For example, tadpoles are herbivores, while adult frogs are carnivores. This process helps them survive and thrive in various environments.
© JV Chamary / Our Media
Metamorphosis (noun): The process in which an animal or insect changes its shape or form as it grows.
Amphibian (noun): An animal that can live both in water and on land.
Bilateral symmetry (noun): A type of body arrangement where an organism's left and right sides are mirror images of each other.
Hormone (noun): A chemical in the body that controls growth and changes.
Exoskeleton (noun): A hard outer structure that provides protection and support for some animals.
Ecological niche (noun): The role and position an organism has in its environment.