Question

The chemical which shows biomagnification is

• A. CFC
• B. ADP
• C. ATP
• D. DDT

Hint:

When you see "biomagnification" in a question, the most likely answers will be pesticides like DDT or heavy metals like mercury. These substances are persistent and accumulate in food chains.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Biomagnification (or bioamplification) is the process by which the concentration of a toxin increases in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain. For a chemical to biomagnify, it must be long-lived, mobile, soluble in fats, and biologically active.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane): This is a synthetic pesticide. It is a persistent organic pollutant that is fat-soluble and breaks down very slowly. When it enters an ecosystem (e.g., a lake), it is absorbed by small organisms like plankton. Fish eat the plankton, and birds eat the fish. At each trophic level, the DDT accumulates in the fatty tissues, so its concentration becomes much higher in top predators. DDT is the classic textbook example of a chemical that shows biomagnification. } \\ \bullet & \text{CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon): These are chemicals known for causing ozone layer depletion. They do not typically biomagnify. } \\ \bullet & \text{ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): These are essential molecules for energy transfer within cells. They are part of normal metabolism and do not biomagnify. } \\ \end{array}\]

Step 3: Final Answer:
DDT is a well-known chemical that shows biomagnification.