Question

Consider the following: 

1. Bioaccumulation is the increases in concentration of a pollutant from the environment to the first organism in a food chain. 

2. Biomagnification is then increases in concentration of pollutant from one link in a food chain to another. 

Which of the statements given above is/are true? 

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 2 both (d) None

Answer 1

(c) Bioaccumulation refers to the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other organic chemicals in an organism. Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a toxic substance at a rate greater than that at which the substance is lost. Biological magnification often refers to the process whereby certain substances such as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain.