Question

What do you understand by the term 'Biological magnification"?

Answer 1

Biological magnification"

1. Bioconcentration is the characteristic of all food chains whereby substances present in low or insignificant amounts in the environment are concentrated with the ascent of each step in the chain.
2. Pesticides, used to eliminate pests from the crops, enter the food chain through producers (green plants). Since, these chemicals are not degradable, these get accumulated progressively at each trophic level.
3. Generally, maximum accumulation of these chemicals is found at the top of the food chain or the last trophic level.
4. As human beings occupy the top level in any food chain, the maximum concentration of these chemicals get accumulated in our bodies.

This phenomenon is known as biological magnification.