Grade 8: Lesson 4.4 Bioaccumulation

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Questions and Answers

What is bioaccumulation?

The process of organisms breaking down pollutants.

The spread of chemicals in the ecosystem.

The rapid elimination of substances from an organism's body.

The gradual accumulation of substances in an organism. (correct)

Why is DDT considered harmful to animals other than insects?

It is beneficial for the growth of various organisms.

It accumulates in the bodies of non-target species. (correct)

It only affects insects and not other animals.

It is quickly broken down by decomposers.

What effect does DDT have on birds?

It enhances the color of their feathers.

It improves their reproductive success.

It increases their lifespan significantly.

It makes their eggshells thin and brittle. (correct)

How does DDT enter the food chain?

By being absorbed by algae and then consumed by higher trophic levels. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the increase in concentration of a substance as it moves up the food chain?

Biomagnification Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of DDT contributes to its persistence in the environment?

It is a persistent chemical that does not break down easily. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these processes allows substances to build up in an organism faster than they are eliminated?

Bioaccumulation Signup and view all the answers

What does the term decomposers refer to?

Organisms that break down complex substances into simpler ones. Signup and view all the answers

What is the danger of pollution on an ecosystem?

Pollution can harm or destroy habitats, disrupt food chains, and contaminate water sources, affecting the health and survival of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of pollution and the effect of each one of them on ecosystems?

Types of pollution include air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, and noise pollution. Each type can have different effects on ecosystems, such as harming plants and animals, disrupting food chains, and damaging habitats. Signup and view all the answers

Define decomposers.

Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the kinds of substance decomposers can break down.

Decomposers can break down organic matter, such as dead plants, animals, and waste products. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the kinds of substance that decomposers cannot break down.

Decomposers often cannot break down certain substances, such as plastics, heavy metals, and some pesticides. These substances can persist in the environment and pose risks to ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

How does bioaccumulation occur?

Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a substance faster than it can be lost or eliminated by catabolism and excretion. Signup and view all the answers

What is DDT?

DDT is a pesticide that was widely used to control insects, particularly mosquitoes that transmit diseases like malaria. Signup and view all the answers

DDT is a persistent chemical, meaning it stays in the environment for a long time.

True Signup and view all the answers

Decomposers can easily break down DDT.

False Signup and view all the answers

Biomagnification is the process where the concentration of a substance increases as you move up the food chain.

True Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how biomagnification can affect an ecosystem.

DDT can biomagnify in a food chain, starting with algae that absorb it from the water; small fish eat the algae, larger fish eat the smaller fish, and birds eat the larger fish. This can result in high concentrations of DDT in the birds, leading to harmful effects, such as thin eggshells, reduced reproduction, and even death. Signup and view all the answers

How many times greater is the concentration of DDT in a cormorant's body compared to a minnow's body?

The concentration of DDT in a cormorant's body is about 53 times greater than the concentration in a minnow's body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the impact of pollutants on ecosystems?

Bioaccumulation is the process by which pollutants accumulate in organisms over time. Biomagnification is the process by which the concentration of these pollutants increases as you move up the food chain. Both processes contribute to the harmful effects of pollutants on ecosystems, particularly to top predators. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Grade Level 8: Lesson 4.4 Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation is the gradual buildup of substances (like pesticides or chemicals) in an organism.
Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a substance faster than it can eliminate it through catabolism and excretion.
Decomposers are organisms that break down substances.
Decomposers can break down certain substances but not others. The specifics of which substances decomposers can break down are not detailed.
The video discusses the dangers of pollution on ecosystems. Specific types of pollution and their effects on ecosystems are not fully detailed.
DDT is an insecticide. Its purpose is to kill insects that transmit diseases (like malaria and typhus) or those that eat crops.
DDT is a persistent chemical, meaning it remains in the environment for a long time.
DDT is not broken down by decomposers.
DDT can be sprayed into the air and carried long distances.
DDT accumulating in organisms has harmful effects, particularly on the eggs and shells of birds, making them fragile. This can result in eggs failing to hatch.
The concentration of DDT increases as you move up the food chain (biomagnification). An example is how DDT levels are highest in fish-eating birds compared to shrimps and algae. Algae absorbs DDT, shrimps consume algae, minnows consume shrimps, and fish-eating birds consume minnows.
Tiny organisms (e.g., protoctists) absorb DDT.
Smaller organisms consume larger ones; DDT buildup increases at each trophic level.
This is a study of DDT, a pesticide. It details its effect on various organisms in a food chain, from tiny protoctists to birds.
Bioaccumulation is a process where harmful chemicals accumulate in the bodies of organisms in a food chain. This is also called biomagnification. The organisms that are at the top of the food chain will have the highest levels of these chemicals.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of bioaccumulation and its impact on ecosystems. It delves into how substances like DDT accumulate in organisms and the role of decomposers in this process. Understand the dangers of pollution and the long-term effects on wildlife.