AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When an animal consumes food having DDT residue, the DDT accumulates in the tissue of the animal by a process called bioaccumulation. The higher an animal is on the food chain (e.g. tertiary consumer such as seals), the greater the concentration of DDT in their body as a result of a process called biomagnification.

Detailed explanation-2: -As Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) moves up the trophic levels in food chains, or food webs, its concentration increases. This happens because DDT is fat soluble and so it accumulates in the bodies of organisms which come into contact with it.

Detailed explanation-3: -The concentration of DDT increases, as it moves or travels along the food chains. Its concentration is maximum in top trophic level. This process is called biomagnification.

Detailed explanation-4: -Biomagnification happens when toxic chemicals, like DDT, whose remains in the environment are consumed indirectly by organisms through food. When an organism in the higher food chain consumes the lower organism containing such chemicals, the chemicals can get accumulated in the higher organism.

Detailed explanation-5: -DDT affects the food chain by bioaccumulating in organisms, as well as reducing population sizes that can feed higher trophic levels. A rough example of the food chain would have fish eating insects that have been poisoned with DDT.