Metamorphosis
- Pronunciation
- /met-uh-MAWR-fuh-sis/
- Category
- Physiology
- Singular
- Metamorphosis
- Plural
- Metamorphoses
Definition
A biological process by which an insect undergoes a significant change in form and structure from its early developmental stages to adulthood.
Etymology
From Greek 'metamorphosis', meaning 'transformation' or 'change of shape' (meta- 'change' + morphē 'form').
Example
The caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis to become a butterfly.
Synonyms
- Transformation
- Transfiguration
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Metamorphosis is typically categorized into two types: complete metamorphosis (holometabolism) and incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolism).