IB Biology SL 4.2.9 Biomagnification
Practise tracing pollutants through food chains, explaining biomagnification and evaluating health and environmental consequences.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- Trace pollutant concentration through trophic levels and identify the most exposed predator.
- Explain biomagnification using DDT, mercury or another named pollutant and its consequences.
- Evaluate health and environmental trade-offs of pesticide use.
D4.2.9—Biomagnification question 1
[Maximum number: 4]
Explain the cause and consequences of biomagnification.
a. substances/pesticides/heavy metals accumulate up the food chain / at each trophic level;
b. substances cannot be metabolized/excreted;
c. these substances become concentrated in (fatty) tissues/internal organs;
d. magnified in organisms in upper part of chain as they eat more/larger organisms;
e. increase in concentration may become toxic in higher trophic levels;
f. example of a consequence of biomagnification e.g (DDT causes) thinning of egg shells (in birds);
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