Colorado Pest Control QS Exam Practice Test 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The term that refers to a complete change in appearance with a four-stage life cycle is complete metamorphosis. This biological process involves four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage looks markedly different from the others, highlighting a significant transformation in both form and function.

In the initial egg stage, the organism is in its earliest form, which then hatches into a larva (for instance, a caterpillar for butterflies). The larva primarily focuses on growth and feeding. Following this stage, it enters the pupal stage, where it undergoes significant internal transformations, leading to the final adult stage. This final stage is often vastly different from the larval stage, showcasing complete metamorphosis as a very distinct life cycle characterized by significant morphological changes.

Other terms, like gradual metamorphosis, refer to a different process involving only three stages—egg, nymph, and adult—where the changes are more subtle and not as visually dramatic as those seen in complete metamorphosis. Developmental and cyclical metamorphosis are not standard terms used to describe these biological processes, further clarifying that complete metamorphosis is the appropriate term for the context given.