Which of the following describes a characteristic of bitmapped images?

Bitmapped images, also known as raster images, are characterized by their composition of pixels. Each pixel in a bitmapped image represents a specific color or shade, and when these pixels come together, they form an overall image. This is crucial for understanding how images are displayed on screens, as the resolution of a bitmapped image is determined by the number of pixels it contains.

Unlike vector images, which are made up of paths defined by mathematical equations, bitmapped images do not maintain their quality when scaled beyond their original dimensions. When you zoom in or increase the size of a bitmapped image, it may appear pixelated or blurry because the individual pixels become more apparent. This limitation underscores the importance of resolution in bitmapped images, where higher resolution leads to superior image quality.

The other options do not accurately describe the characteristics of bitmapped images. For instance, resolution independence applies to vector images, while paths and nodes are specific to vector graphics. The ability to scale infinitely without loss is also a defining feature of vector graphics rather than bitmapped images. Understanding these distinctions is fundamental in multimedia and graphic design.