Data Structure
Networking
RDBMS
Operating System
Java
MS Excel
iOS
HTML
CSS
Android
Python
C Programming
C++
C#
MongoDB
MySQL
Javascript
PHP
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Mathematics
English
Economics
Psychology
Social Studies
Fashion Studies
Legal Studies
- Selected Reading
- UPSC IAS Exams Notes
- Developer's Best Practices
- Questions and Answers
- Effective Resume Writing
- HR Interview Questions
- Computer Glossary
- Who is Who
What is meant by biological magnification? With the help of a food chain, explain how biological magnification of harmful chemicals can occur.
The increase in the concentration of harmful substances, such as pesticides, in the body of living organisms at each level of a food chain is called biological magnification.
Chemical substances such as pesticides are sprayed over crop plants to protect them from pests and diseases. Pesticides are non - biodegradable, so they get accumulated at each trophic level.
When herbivorous animals eat plants, these poisonous chemical pesticides go into their bodies. Man, being an omnivore, eats plant food as well as the meat of herbivores. Thus, the pesticides present in plant food and herbivores get transferred to man's body through food. Since humans occupy the top level in any food chain, the maximum amount of harmful chemical pesticides gets accumulated in our bodies, damaging our health gradually.
The following food chain explains how biological magnification of harmful chemicals can occur.
Plants → Herbivore → Man
100 Views
