vaiheenvaihduntaa

Vaiheenvaihduntaa, also known as metamorphosis, is a biological process by which an animal develops physically after birth or hatching, involving a profound transformation from its larval form to an adult. This process is characteristic of insects and some other invertebrates, as well as amphibians. In insects, metamorphosis typically occurs in four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva, or nymph, is often a worm-like creature that feeds and grows rapidly. After a certain period, the larva enters the pupal stage, where it undergoes significant changes, including the formation of adult structures such as wings and reproductive organs. During this time, the larva is encased in a protective casing called a puparium. Once the metamorphosis is complete, the adult insect emerges from the puparium, ready to reproduce and continue the cycle.

In amphibians, metamorphosis is a more gradual process. Frogs, for example, begin life as aquatic larvae called tadpoles, which have gills for breathing and a tail for swimming. Over time, the tadpole's gills are replaced by lungs, and its tail is absorbed. The tadpole also develops legs and other adult features. This transformation allows the amphibian to leave the water and live on land. Metamorphosis is a critical stage in the life cycle of many organisms, enabling them to adapt to different environments and reproduce successfully.