Biomagnification

Question 1

what is bioaccumulation

Answer 1

The gradual accumulation of substances (pesticides or other chemicals) in an organism

Question 2

how does bioaccumulation occur

Answer 2

Occurs when an organism absorbs a substance at a faster rate than which substances are excreted

Question 3

what is biological magnification

Answer 3

The increase in concentrations of substances in living organisms at higher trophic levels.

Question 4

how does biological magnification occur

Answer 4

Happens with substances that don’t break down and cant be removed

Question 5

describe biomagnification in bald eagles

Answer 5

• DDT is a chemical that bioaccumulates and is then biomagnified in the food chain.
• DDT causes many birds to produce eggs with thinner shells
• When Bald eagles sit on the eggs to incubate them they crush the eggs

Question 6

exaplin why organisms in higher trophic levels are more likely to be affected by non-biodegradable toxins than those lower down

Answer 6

This is called biological magnification which is the increase in the concentration of substances in living organisms at higher trophic levels. The higher the trophic level the higher the chemical concentration level due to bioaccumulation, and therefore toxic it will be.