The larvae of some insects are merely small versions of the adult, whereas the larvae of other insects look completely different from adults, eat different foods, and may live in different habitats. which of the following most directly favors the evolution of the latter, more radical, kind of metamorphosis?
a) natural selection of sexually immature forms of insects
b) changes in the homeobox genes governing early development
c) the evolution of meiosis
d) b and c only
e) a, b, and c

B) changes in the homeobox genes governing early development

Explanation:

Homeobox genes refer to the conserved DNA sequences that code for homeodomain. Homeodomain serves to regulate the segmentation of body plans during early embryonic development.

Various stages during the development of an adult insect from a fertilized egg express different combinations of the homeobox genes in various body parts. These changes in the type and expression of homeobox genes over time and space lead to significant variations between adults and larval stages of insects.

The other insects with larval stages identical to their adult forms do not exhibit such changes in homeobox genes leading to the same pattern of development.

meiosis is the correct answer