Dictionary > Biological magnification

Biological magnification

Definition
noun, plural: biological magnification
The increasing concentration of a particular substance (e.g. toxin) as it moves up across the trophic levels in a food chain
Supplement
Biological magnification refers to the concentration of a particular substance (such as toxins) being magnified within the organism at each increasing level in a food chain. For instance, a pesticide, which is a toxic chemical, finds its way into the food chain as it is consumed by an animal from one trophic level to another. The concentration of this toxic chemical progressively increases when a plant is treated with pesticide and then eaten by an herbivore. The herbivore, in turn, is eaten by a carnivore, which in turn is eaten by an animal in the higher trophic level. The toxic substance tends to become concentrated in tissues or internal organs over time and therefore when consumed tends to magnify across trophic levels, manifesting biological magnification. Certain substances tend to magnify its concentration because they are persistent substances. They are hardly broken down by natural, environmental means. Within organisms, they are very slowly metabolized or excreted out.
Biological magnification is therefore the manifestation of toxin build up in a food chain. It delineates that the amount of toxin increases as the trophic level increases. Thus, predators tend to have higher toxins than their prey.
Synonym(s):

  • biomagnification
  • bioamplification

See also:

  • food chain


  • You will also like...

    Cell structure
    Cell Structure

    A typical eukaryotic cell is comprised of cytoplasm with different organelles, such as nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, G..

    Ecosystem Succession
    Ecosystem Succession

    If the balance of nature is left untouched, landscapes can change dramatically over time. A previous ecosystem is supers..

    DNA - schematic
    Genetic Mutations

    This tutorial looks at the mutation at the gene level and the harm it may bring. Learn about single nucleotide polymorph..

    Chemical composition of the body
    Chemical Composition of the Body

    The body is comprised of different elements with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen as the major four. This tutorial..

    New Zealand - Biodiversity fauna
    New Zealand’s Biodiversity

    Find out more about New Zealand's unique biodiversity by exploring a range of different ecosystems and the key role of s..

    A chart depicting Mendel's Law of Dominance
    Mendel’s Law & Mendelian Genetics

    One of Mendel’s law of inheritance is the “law of dominance”. Read this tutorial to know more about this form of i..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics