Which of the following statements about ‘Biological Magnification’ is FALSE?
- AIts maximum concentration is at the top level of the food chain.
- BIts maximum concentration is at the bottom level of the food chain.
- CIt differs depending on the level of ecosystem.
- DThe chemicals enter the food chain through absorption from water or soil.
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Biological magnification (or biomagnification) refers to the progressive increase in the concentration of non-biodegradable toxic substances (like DDT, heavy metals, etc.) at successive trophic levels of a food chain.
Since these chemicals cannot be metabolized or excreted by organisms, they accumulate and pass up to higher trophic levels.
Consequently, the maximum concentration of these toxic chemicals is found at the top level (highest trophic level) of the food chain, whereas the lowest concentration is at the bottom level (producers/primary consumers).
Therefore, the statement that its maximum concentration is at the bottom level of the food chain is completely false.
Since these chemicals cannot be metabolized or excreted by organisms, they accumulate and pass up to higher trophic levels.
Consequently, the maximum concentration of these toxic chemicals is found at the top level (highest trophic level) of the food chain, whereas the lowest concentration is at the bottom level (producers/primary consumers).
Therefore, the statement that its maximum concentration is at the bottom level of the food chain is completely false.