Question

Bioamplification means (a) increase in pollutants in water (b) gradual accumulation of pesticides from lower animals to higher animals (c) gradual decrease in the concentration of pesticides in water (d) increase in pollutants in air

Short answer

(b) gradual accumulation of pesticides from lower animals to higher animals

Step-by-step solution

Understand Bioamplification

Bioamplification (or biomagnification) refers to the process where the concentration of a substance, such as a pesticide, increases in organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Analyze the Provided Options

Evaluate each option to see which one best fits the definition of bioamplification. A) Increase in pollutants in water - This option does not involve the food chain. B) Gradual accumulation of pesticides from lower animals to higher animals - This accurately describes the process. C) Gradual decrease in concentration of pesticides in water - This is incorrect as it talks about decrease rather than increase. D) Increase in pollutants in air - This does not involve the food chain or living organisms.

Select the Correct Option

Based on the understanding of bioamplification and analysis of the options, select option (b) - gradual accumulation of pesticides from lower animals to higher animals.

Key concepts

Biomagnification

Biomagnification, also known as bioamplification, is a process where the concentration of a toxin, such as a pesticide, increases as it moves up through the levels of a food chain. For example, a small amount of pesticide may be present in water, which is then ingested by small aquatic organisms.
When these organisms are eaten by larger animals, the concentration of the pesticide increases because these predators consume numerous contaminated prey.
Consequently, at the top of the food chain, predators like birds or aquatic mammals may accumulate dangerously high levels of toxins. This process occurs because toxins are often stored in fatty tissues and are not easily broken down or eliminated by the body.
Over time, various toxins can build up to harmful levels, affecting the health and reproductive success of top predators.

Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals used to eliminate or control pests that threaten agricultural activities. While they are effective for protecting crops, they can have serious environmental consequences. Once pesticides enter an ecosystem, they can affect non-target species such as birds, fish, and insects.
For instance, an herbicide may enter a water body and negatively impact aquatic plants and the animals that rely on them for food. Moreover, pesticides can persist in the environment for long periods, leading to chronic exposure among wildlife.
Some common types of pesticides include:

• Insecticides - used to kill insects
• Herbicides - used to remove unwanted vegetation
• Fungicides - used to combat fungal pathogens

Despite their utility in agriculture, it's crucial to apply pesticides carefully to minimize damage to surrounding ecosystems.

Food Chain

A food chain illustrates the flow of energy and nutrients from one organism to another within an ecosystem. It starts with primary producers like plants and algae, which convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. These producers are then consumed by primary consumers, usually herbivores.
The primary consumers are eaten by secondary consumers, typically carnivores or omnivores, which may, in turn, be consumed by tertiary consumers at the top of the food chain.
Each step in the food chain is known as a trophic level, and energy decreases as it moves up each level, primarily due to metabolic processes and energy loss as heat.
The connections in a food chain underscore the reliance of organisms on each other for survival and the importance of maintaining balanced ecosystems.