What is biological magnification? Will the levels of this magnification be different at different levels of the ecosystem?

 

Answer

The increase in concentration of harmful and toxic substances higher in the food chain, due to the presence of these substances in the lower levels is called biological magnification.

 

biological-magnification---teachoo.jpg

 

Yes, the levels of this magnification are different at different levels of the ecosystem.

Let us consider the food chain

Grass ➔ Goat ➔ Human

 

food-chain-ncert-q6---teachoo.jpg

 

The harmful substances (like pesticides), present in the grass go into the goat’s body as it eats the grass.

The harmful substances that are inherited by the goat from the grass as well as any harmful substance it might have, goes into the human’s body.

Hence, the level of harmful substances increases at every trophic level.

Go Ad-free
Maninder Singh's photo - Co-founder, Teachoo

Made by

Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo