AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When DDT enters aquatic bodies, it gets build up in the body of fishes and this is known as bioaccumulation. When fishes are eaten by animals of higher trophic levels, concentration of DDT is increased at each successive trophic level and this is known as biomagnification.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -This happens because DDT is fat soluble and so it accumulates in the bodies of organisms which come into contact with it.

Detailed explanation-4: -The concentration effect occurs because DDT is metabolized and excreted much more slowly than the nutrients that are passed from one trophic level to the next. So DDT accumulates in the bodies (especially in fat).

Detailed explanation-5: -Worms, grasses, algae, and fish accumulate DDT. Apex predators, such as eagles, had high amounts of DDT in their bodies, accumulated from the fish and small mammals they prey on.