Explain the phenomenon of “biological magnification” How does it affect organisms belonging to different trophic levels particularly the tertiary consumers? [Delhi]
The process in which harmful chemicals enter a food chain and get accumulated progressively at each trophic level is called biological magnification.
Harmful and toxic chemicals enter our bodies when they are added to soil and water. Use of pesticides to protect the food crops from diseases and pests and chemical wastes of factories are dumped in open or disposed off into rivers. These chemicals are washed down into the soil and ultimately to water table or get absorbed or taken up from the soil by the plants along with water and minerals and in this way harmful chemicals enter the food chain. The quantity of these harmful chemicals increase with increase in trophic level of the food chain because these substances are not degradable. Man is at the top of the food chain, so concentration is maximum in human beings.
Thus, accumulation of DDT has been maximum in man as DDT is used to destroy pests. DDT is accumulated in the following way in this food chain:
This is the reason why our food grains such as wheat and rice, vegetables and fruits and even meat contain varying amounts of pesticides residues. So, the highest trophic level at the extreme right of food chain has the maximum concentration of harmful chemicals in a food chain.
(a) Define decomposers. Name one decomposer.
(b) What is the role of decomposers in the ecosystem ?
(a) What is meant by non-biodegradable waste materials ? Give two examples of non-biodegradable wastes.
(b) Which of the following materials are biodegradable ?Animal bones, Iron nails, Plastic mugs, Leather belts, Silver foil
Why is ozone layer getting depleted at the higher levels of the atmosphere? [Delhi (C)]
Select two non-biodegradable substances from the following waste generated in a kitchen: spoilt food, paper bags, milk bags, vegetable peels, tin cans, used tea leaves. [Delhi]
‘If we excessively use pesticides to protect the crops from diseases, then it may cause long-term damage to mankind’. Justify this statement.
State whether the following statements are true or false :State whether the following statements are true or false :
(a) In biology, human beings are called producers.
(b) Secondary consumers and tertiary consumers, both are carnivores.
Give a method for the disposal of household wastes such as left-over food, fruit and vegetable peels, and leaves of potted plants.
Give an example to illustrate that indiscriminate use of pesticides may result-in the degradation of the environment. [All India]
Name the process in which a harmful chemical enters the food chain and gets concentrated at each trophic level.
If a harmful chemical enters a food chain comprising cat, mice and plants, which one of these organisms is likely to have the maximum concentration of the harmful chemical in its body ?
Explain how, harmful ultraviolet radiations of sunlight are prevented from reaching the earth’s surface.
Why did United Nations act to control the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators? [Delhi]
Which of the following belong to the same trophic level ?
Tree ; Frog ; Snake ; Grass ; Lizard
Which one term in the following includes the others ?
air, flora, fauna, environment, water, sunlight, soil
(a) Describe an activity to show that while paper is biodegradable but plastic (say, polythene) is non-
biodegradable.
(b) Explain why, some materials are biodegradable but some are non-biodegradable.
Fill in the following blanks with suitable words : Fill in the following blanks with suitable words :
(a) Decomposer organisms are……………. in their action.
(b) In nature, all green plants are……………. whereas animals are consumers.
(c) A series of organisms, each of which feeds on the next organism, the beginning of which is a green plant, is called a…………….
(d) The science that deals with the inter-relationships of living things with one another and their environment is called …………….
(e) Plastic is a……………. material whereas paper is a……………. material.
Name the wastes which are generated in your house daily. What measures would you take for their disposal?
What is the functional unit of the environment comprising of the living and non-living components called ?
If 5 joules of energy is available at producer level (plants), then how much energy will be transferred to the lion in the following food chain ? If 5 joules of energy is available at producer level (plants), then how much energy will be transferred to the lion in the following food chain ?
Plants —> Goat —> Lion
Which disease is caused in human beings due to depletion of ozone layer in the atmosphere? [Foreign]
Name the phenomenon in which non-biodegradable chemicals get accumulated progressively at each trophic level of a food chain.