Question

Question 5
Accumulation of non-biodegradable pesticides in the food chain in increasing amount at each higher trophic level is known as

(a) eutrophication
(b) pollution
(c) biomagnification
(d) accumulation

Answer 1

Option (c) is correct.

Biomagnification (or bioaccumulation) refers to the ability to living organisms to accumulate certain chemicals to a concentration larger than that occurring in their inorganic, non-living environment, or in the case of animals, in the food that they eat. As a result of biomagnification, organisms at the top of the food chain generally suffer greater harm from a persistent toxin or pollutant than those at lower levels.