Life Cycles Lab
Sequence the stages of butterfly, frog, plant, and bird life cycles — then compare them side by side to discover what all living things have in common and how metamorphosis sets some organisms apart.
Guided Experiment: Life Cycles Comparison
Which two organisms do you think go through the most dramatic change as they grow? Why?
Write your hypothesis in the Lab Report panel, then click Next.
Controls
Choose an organism
Click the stage cards in the correct order (1 to 4) for the Butterfly.
Data Table
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Reference Guide
What Is Metamorphosis?
Metamorphosis is a dramatic transformation where an organism's body changes completely from one stage to the next.
- Complete metamorphosis — four very different stages (butterfly)
- Incomplete metamorphosis — gradual change without a pupa stage (some insects)
- Frogs undergo metamorphosis too — tadpole to froglet to adult
Birds and plants grow gradually — each stage looks like a smaller or younger version of the adult.
Butterfly Life Cycle
The butterfly has four stages of complete metamorphosis:
- Egg — laid on a leaf
- Caterpillar (larva) — eats leaves and grows
- Chrysalis (pupa) — transformation takes place inside
- Adult butterfly — flies, feeds on nectar, lays eggs
Frog Life Cycle
Frogs start life in water and transition to land:
- Egg — laid in water, surrounded by jelly
- Tadpole — swims and breathes through gills
- Froglet — grows legs, tail shrinks, lungs develop
- Adult frog — lives on land and in water
The shift from living fully in water to living on land is one of the most dramatic life cycle changes in the animal kingdom.
Plant Life Cycle
Plants grow from seeds and produce seeds to start the cycle again:
- Seed — dormant until conditions are right
- Seedling — first root and shoot emerge
- Mature plant — grows leaves, stems, and flowers
- Fruit / seeds — flowers are pollinated and produce seeds