Question

Term referring to the process in which certain compounds increase in concentration within biotic tissues as they move up through foodwebs.
a. Biomagnification
b. Bioenlargement
c. Bioassimilation
d. Bioconsumation

Answer 1

Answer:

a. Biomagnification

Explanation:

Biomagnification is the name given to the progressive accumulation of substances from one trophic level to another along a food chain. Thus, the substance will have its highest concentration in individuals who occupy trophic levels furthest from producers.

For biomagnification to occur, substances must be fat soluble (lipid soluble) and thus adhere to living tissues. Another feature of substances that undergo biomagnification is that they are generally not biodegradable or metabolized by the body.

The phenomenon is quite common with heavy metals (lead; mercury) and certain chlorinated and aromatic organic compounds with higher molecular mass, such as the insecticide DDT.