Which of the following best describes the lifecycle of an organism that includes an egg, larva, pupa, and adult?

The lifecycle described, which includes an egg, larva, pupa, and adult, is characteristic of complete metamorphosis. This process involves distinct and separate life stages, where the organism undergoes significant changes at each stage. After hatching from the egg, the larval stage often focuses on feeding and growth. Following this stage, the organism enters the pupa phase, which is crucial for transformation. During pupation, the organism undergoes fundamental reconstruction to emerge as a fully formed adult. This dramatic transformation highlights the complexity of the lifecycle, distinguishing it from other types of development. In contrast, incomplete metamorphosis would consist of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult, while direct development involves organisms that hatch into a form similar to the adult, bypassing any larval or pupal stages. Generational shift does not accurately reflect a typical biological lifecycle but rather refers to changes across generations. The presence of larval and pupal stages clearly aligns with complete metamorphosis, reinforcing the correctness of that choice.