Question

Which of the following is a correct reason for the assertion that "pesticides are said to move up the food chain”?

• A. Pesticides has a greater effect on larger animals than on insects.
• B. Top predators often accumulate the pesticides contained in the bodies of their prey.
• C. Birds and predatory mammals are not affected by pesticides.
• D. Pesticides kill insects and other target pests before they can absorb the poison.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Top predators often accumulate the pesticides contained in the bodies of their prey.

Pesticides and other contaminants enter the food chain via polluted water and soil. Due to the nature of the food chain i.e. eating and being eaten, these contaminants accumulate in the bodies of predators. The top predators accumulate the pesticides maximally as they are not being eaten by any other predator. This phenomenon of accumulation of contaminants in the top predators is called as biomagnification.