Which life cycle classification includes a complete metamorphosis?

The classification that includes a complete metamorphosis is known as complete metamorphosis. This process is characterized by four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. During these stages, the organism undergoes significant changes in form and function. For instance, a caterpillar emerges from an egg, grows, then transforms into a pupa, and finally emerges as a butterfly, showcasing the drastic changes that occur throughout its life cycle.

In contrast, other classifications do not involve such a dramatic transformation. The gradual life cycle involves more subtle changes as the organism grows without a pupal stage; ametabolus development is characterized by minimal changes in morphology throughout life; and direct development refers to organisms that hatch from eggs as miniature versions of the adult, without undergoing a metamorphosis. Therefore, complete metamorphosis is the only classification that encompasses the notion of a transformative life cycle with clear and distinct stages.