Metamorphosis a Journey of Change

phosis

A Journey of Change

ERNIE SANCHEZ

NATURE

Metamorphosis is a process by which animals undergo extreme, rapid physical changes some time after birth. The result of metamorphosis may be change to the organism’s entire body plan, such as a change in the animal’s number of legs, its means of eating, or its means of breathing. In species that use metamorphosis, it is also typically required for sexual maturity. Pre-metamorphic members of these species are typically unable to mate or reproduce.

Commonly known examples of metamorphosis include the process undergone by most insects, and the transformation of tadpoles into frogs. This image shows the stages of this change, wherein the egg transforms into a catapillar into what seems a completely different organism.

THE FROG

Frog is the common name for amphibians in the order of Anura. Adult frogs are characterized by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in all water.

Adult frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable through their call, which can be widely heard during the mating season.

The distribution of frogs ranges from tropic to subarctic regions, with most of the species found in tropical rainforests. With over 5,000 species described, they are among the most diverse groups of vertebrates. However the declining numbers of certain species of frogs are increasingly giving cause for overwhelming concern in most circles.

METAMORPHOSIS COMPLETE

ABSORPTION OF THE TAIL AND REDUCTION IN SIZE OF THE GUT

PROJECTION OF FORELIMBS

DEVELOPEMENT OF HINDLIMBS

LARVAL STAGE WITH REFINEMENT OF ORGANS

OPERCULAR FOLD OVER BRACHIAL CHAMBER

DEVELOPEMENT OF EMBRYONIC TEETH

TAIL FIN CIRCULATION ESTABLISHED

MOUTH OPENS AND CORNEA BECOMES TRANSPARENT

HATCHING AND GILL CIRCULATION

EARLY HEARTBEAT, DEVELOPEMENT OF GILL BUDS

MUSCULAR RESPONSE TO TACTILE STIMULATION

TUBE FORMED AND CILIATION OF EMBRYO

FOLDS CONVERGING

THE BUTTERFLY

The butterfly and moth develop through a process called metamorphosis. This is a Greek or ancient latin word that means transformation or change in shape. Insects have two common types of metamorphosis. Grasshoppers, crickets, dragonflies, and cockroaches have incomplete metamorphosis. The young (called a nymph) usually look like small underdeveloped adults but most are without the wings.

Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees have complete metamorphosis. The young (called a larva instead of a nymph) is very different from the adults. It also usually eats several different types of soluable food.

There are four stages in the metamorphosis of butterflies and moths: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

ONE WITH THREE NOT ONE AND THREE

BEGINNINGS

Imagine if your body could change its shape and the things it could do. You might start out walking on the ground with two legs and then later develop wings to fly. Maybe you begin your life with gills and fins so you can breathe and swim under water and then later grow a set of lungs and legs so you could live on dry land. Does this sound like a fantastic and unbelievable story to you? It isn’t.

Every day there are animals that make these types changes as part of a process called metamorphosis. The word “metamorphosis” comes from the Greek and means to transform. There are a lot of examples of this type of change. Frogs start out as eggs, then become tadpoles before becoming adults. Fish, such as salmon, must transform so they can move from fresh water to salt water and back. Both of these changes are impressive, but maybe the most amazing animal transformation happens in the insect world. For some insects it is possible to begin life crawling and eating and later change into a flying animal. In fact, many insects experience extreme changes as they grow and develop to become full grown adults.

People change too, but our development is not as impressive as that of insects. Humans have a skeleton on the inside of their bodies, where the bones can grow longer and thicker as they get older. Insects have an exoskeleton, which means that their skeleton is on the outside of their body. An exoskeleton is made of chitin which is a strong and hard material. Unlike human skin, chitin is not stretchy and insects must make new skeletons as they grow larger. To do this, they will grow and change as they go through different stages. This transformation is called a metamorphosis.

Most insects begin life as an egg and hatch within a few days of being laid. But there are some insects that will live through an entire season as an egg before hatching. The insects that stay in the egg longer need more time to grow and become strong enough to live outside of the egg. When the temperature becomes warm and comfortable these tiny insects will break out of their eggs and, depending on the species, will go through an incomplete or a complete metamorphosis.

WHERE WE GO DO

META MORPHOSIS AND THE MIND

WHAT DO WE KNOW

There is mostly a reason for every action performed by a human being. These actions are backed up by a thinking that dwells in the subconscious of a person. This very fact comprehends his or her existence in the first place. Our thought process and the subsequent actions are something that make us different from each other. Moreover, even a single person becomes distinguishable during his various life stages. We can understand the transformation of a human being from childhood to adulthood through the metamorphosis of his mind.

Infancy is the nascent stage of every person’s life. What makes children unique is their inquisitiveness. The curiosity to understand the existence of things around them. For instance, they are often hooked on to new objects.

Toys catch their profound attention and are a source of happiness most of the time. Perhaps, every new face and object is subjected to a child’s unsolicited attention. But, children are not judgemental. Their benign innocence cannot distinguish between people on the basis of nationality, culture and their social status. Truth and lies make no sense to them and they don’t even ask for justifications. Happiness makes them smile and vulnerability makes them cry. They don’t exercise pragmatism and neither do they openly flaunt their uninhibited ambition. There is a luxury of being loved by most people around. And they are unaware of the vicious circle of life. Perhaps, the biggest blessing as a child.

THE FIGHT

Education leads to evolution. Broadens the mind to take on a mystical journey called life. With a plethora of expectations and fierce ambitions, children bump into adulthood. Understanding of their surroundings makes them realize the value of everything. Now their attention is very specific. They learn to segregate people on the basis of their nationality, culture, religion as per their own convenience.

While pursuing their ambitions, they maneuver several important skills. Some expert in the art of lying and concealment and show their true colors corresponding to their malicious intent. Perhaps such people are way too much driven by their vile instinct. Most adults lack the vibrance in their smile. Perturbed by thoughts, anxiety, despondency and desolation in life. All these take a toll on the priceless smile that existed once upon a time. Ever wondered why this happens.

A CHANGING FONT

Scientific studies of metamorphosis can be traced back to late Aristotle. Although Aristotle did not use the term metamorphosis, his scientific interests included observation of changes in the form of insects, a process that we now call metamorphosis (Llyod 1996). Moreover, life-changing transitions are were an important part of the non-scientific Greek culture, as described in their myths. In this regard, we owe much to the Roman poet Ovid, who collected various Greek myths into the poem “Metamorphosis” (Martin 2004). This work stimulated the imaginations of many poets and philosophers for almost 2000 years. In these myths, metamorphosis could involve such things as humans changing into animals or inanimate objects or animals changing into humans. In one story, Ovid describes the transformation of Daphne into a tree to escape Apollo. In another story, Ovid describes how Bacchus gave King Midas the extremely golden touch.

SHADOW MAN

GLOBAL TRANSFORMATIONS FROM 1 LIFE

STAGE TO ANOTHER IN METAMORPHOSIS INVOLVE CHANGES IN CELLS AS THEY

DIFFERENTIATE TO FORM NEW ORGANS AND THE LOSS OF OLD ORGANS THROUGH CELL DEATH.

A CHANGE ENDING

Metamorphosis is a complete life cycle from larva to adult for many creatures. Yes, technically by science we Humans, do not go through metamorphosis, like amphibians, and insects go through, but we do have very similar life stages.

Most adults lack the vibrance in their smile. Perturbed by thoughts, anxiety, despondency and desolation in life. All these take a toll on the priceless smile that existed once upon a time. Ever wondered why this happens.

Their benign innocence cannot distinguish between people on the basis of nationality, culture and their social status. Truth and lies make no sense to them and they don’t even ask for all justifications. Happiness makes them smile and vulnerability makes them cry. They don’t exercise pragmatism and neither do they openly flaunt their uninhibited ambition. There is a luxury of being loved by most people around. And they are unaware of the vicious circle of life. Perhaps, the biggest blessing as a child.

METAMORPHOSIS A JOURNEY

Metamorphosis is a complete life cycle from larva to adult for many creatures. Yes, technically by science we Humans, do not go through metamorphosis, like amphibians, and insects go through, but we do have very similar life stages.

Most adults lack the vibrance in their smile. Perturbed by thoughts, anxiety, despondency and desolation in life. All these take a toll on the priceless smile that existed once upon a time. Ever wondered why this happens.

SHADOW MAN GLOBAL TRANSFORMATIONS FROM 1 LIFE STAGE TO ANOTHER IN METAMORPHOSIS INVOLVE CHANGES IN CELLS AS THEY DIFFERENTIATE TO FORM NEW ORGANS AND THE LOSS OF OLD ORGANS THROUGH CELL DEATH.