You have learnt that a tail is present in a tadpole but it disappears as it grows into a frog. What is the advantage of having a tail in the tadpole stage?

A tadpole’s tail is crucial for swimming and maneuvering in water during its early life stage, allowing it to easily navigate its aquatic environment and escape predators, making it a key advantage in the tadpole stage before it develops legs and becomes more adapted to life on land as a frog; once the legs develop, the tail is no longer needed and is absorbed by the body through a process called metamorphosis.
Key points about the tadpole tail’s advantages:
Locomotion: The primary function of the tail is to propel the tadpole through the water, enabling efficient swimming and quick movement.
Predator evasion: A tail allows tadpoles to rapidly change direction and maneuver to avoid predators in the water.
Stability: It helps maintain balance and stability while swimming.
Why the tail disappears during metamorphosis:
No longer needed:
Once the frog develops legs, it can jump and hop on land, making the tail unnecessary for movement.
Nutrient recycling:
The body reabsorbs the tail tissue to provide nutrients needed for further development and growth into a frog.