TED-ED: The weird and wonderful metamorphosis of the butterfly - Franziska Bauer

The video explains the process of complete metamorphosis in insects, focusing on how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. It describes the role of hormones and imaginal discs in this transformation, the evolutionary theories behind metamorphosis, and the survival advantages it provides. Despite the complexity, metamorphosis is common among insects, allowing larvae and adults to occupy different ecological niches and survive periods of food scarcity.

What percentage of known animal species undergo complete metamorphosis?

• 95%

• 70%

• 85%

• 50%

What triggers the caterpillar to stop eating and moving during metamorphosis?

• Decrease in juvenile hormone

• Decrease in ecdysone

• Increase in juvenile hormone

• Increase in ecdysone

Which part of the caterpillar remains intact and grows during the liquefaction process?

• Respiratory system

• Imaginal discs

• Heart

• Cuticle

What is one proposed evolutionary advantage of complete metamorphosis?

• It allows for faster growth

• It increases the lifespan of the insect

• It reduces competition for resources between life stages

• It simplifies the developmental process

According to the leading theory, how did the caterpillar stage evolve?

• As a shortened version of the adult stage

• As a result of environmental changes

• As a drawn-out version of a life stage inside the egg

• As a completely new life stage