Question

Mercury is an element that is toxic to humans in high doses. How can humans reduce their risk of ingesting this element in harmful amounts?
A.) Humans could avoid eating animals at high trophic levels, as their bodies contain more mercury than those at lower trophic levels.
B.) Humans could avoid eating herbivores, such as plant-eating fish, as their bodies contain relatively high amounts of mercury compared with other animals.
C.) Humans could avoid eating animals at all trophic levels, which all have equal risk of containing mercury, while consuming only plants.
D.) Humans could avoid eating plants, as these contain especially high levels of mercury.

Answer 1

Answer: B.) Humans could avoid eating herbivores, such as plant-eating fish, as their bodies contain relatively high amounts of mercury compared with other animals.

Explanation:

The mercury is a metallic poison which is used in chemicals production in the industries. The mercury along with other residues are left in the water bodies where this is consumed by the aquatic animals like herbivorous fishes. These fishes are consumed by human beings they become susceptible to the toxic effects of the mercury. A disease called as minamata is associated with the mercury consumption. It is associated with muscle weakness, numbness, hearing and speech damage.

Answer 2

Humans can reduce their risk of ingesting mercury in harmful amounts by reducing their consumption of fish and shellfish that contain the organic compound methylmercury. B.) Humans could avoid eating herbivores, such as plant-eating fish, as their bodies contain relatively high amounts of mercury compared with other animals.