Metamorphosis
A biological process of dramatic physical transformation from juvenile to adult form, involving substantial reorganization of body structure. Complete metamorphosis involves distinct larval and adult stages.
Biological Context
Metamorphosis allows larvae and adults to exploit different resources, reducing competition between life stages. Amphibian metamorphosis transforms aquatic larvae into terrestrial adults. Insect metamorphosis rebuilds the body inside a cocoon. Metamorphosis is hormonally controlled.
Business Application
Business metamorphosis: fundamental transformation from one form to another—startup to corporation, product company to platform, regional to global. Like biological metamorphosis, it involves destroying old structures while building new ones, a vulnerable period of radical change.