Question

A geographical area contains organisms like snake, grasshopper, peacock, grasses,

and frog. If pesticides were used in this area to kill insects which among the

organisms will have maximum amount of pesticide. Name the phenomenon

involved.

(b) Distinguish between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances. List two

effects of each of them in our environment.​

Answer 1

Answer:

A)given food chain can be represented as: Grass — > Grasshopper ----> Frog — > Snake — > Peacock. The maximum amount of pesticide will be present in peacock as it occupies highest tropic level. This phenomenon is known as biomagnification.

B) Biodegrable: substances which cane be decomposed by micro organism

Non biodegradable: substances which can't ne decomposed by micro organism

Answer 2

The peacock will have maximum amount of pesticide.

• The grass, grasshopper, frog, snake and peacock are the successive trophic levels in a grassland ecosystem.
• The highest trophic level, occupied by the peacock accumulates highest amount of pesticide. This phenomenon is called biomagnification.

Biodegradable and non-biodegradable substance can be distinguished as follows.

• Biodegradable substances are those which can be broken down into simpler organic molecules by microorganisms. Eg: vegetable waste, paper.
• They cause accumulation of microbes and cause diseases.
• Non-biodegradable substances cannot be further broken down by microorganisms. Eg: plastic, paints.
• They accumulate for years and cause wastage of land, and cause health issues when ingested by animals.