During frog metamorphosis, what development occurs in the tadpole?

During frog metamorphosis, what development occurs in the tadpole?

• A. The tadpole loses its tail
• B. The tadpole grows fore limbs or legs
• C. The tadpole becomes an adult instantly
• D. The tadpole grows gills

Answer: (B)

During frog metamorphosis, tadpoles undergo a dramatic remodeling driven by thyroid hormone, switching from a gill-breathing, tail-bearing aquatic larva to an air-breathing, legged adult. A central change is the growth of limbs, with hind legs forming first and forelimbs appearing soon after, which enables the move from water to land. At the same time, the tail is resorbed and the gills are replaced by lungs, along with other cosmetic and functional changes to the mouth and digestive system to suit a carnivorous lifestyle. Among the options, the development of forelimbs or legs best captures this major transition that marks the shift to the adult form. The other statements describe aspects of metamorphosis that either aren’t the defining change or occur later/earlier in the process (gills are lost, the change isn’t instantaneous, and simply losing the tail isn’t the main developmental milestone highlighted here).

During frog metamorphosis, tadpoles undergo a dramatic remodeling driven by thyroid hormone, switching from a gill-breathing, tail-bearing aquatic larva to an air-breathing, legged adult. A central change is the growth of limbs, with hind legs forming first and forelimbs appearing soon after, which enables the move from water to land. At the same time, the tail is resorbed and the gills are replaced by lungs, along with other cosmetic and functional changes to the mouth and digestive system to suit a carnivorous lifestyle. Among the options, the development of forelimbs or legs best captures this major transition that marks the shift to the adult form. The other statements describe aspects of metamorphosis that either aren’t the defining change or occur later/earlier in the process (gills are lost, the change isn’t instantaneous, and simply losing the tail isn’t the main developmental milestone highlighted here).