Amoeba Sisters Biomagnification Flashcard

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What is biomagnification?

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The concentration of a substance increases as it moves up the food chain.

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How does biomagnification affect ecosystems?

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It can lead to harmful effects on higher-level consumers.

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Do amoeba sisters play a role in biomagnification?

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They do not play a role in biomagnification.

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What is the impact of biomagnification on aquatic ecosystems?

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Biomagnification can lead to higher concentrations of toxins in top predators, causing harm to their health and potentially disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.

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How can biomagnification impact human health?

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By accumulating toxic substances in the food chain.

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What is a food chain?

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A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

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What are top predators?

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Top predators are organisms that have no natural enemies and are at the top of the food chain.

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What is bioaccumulation?

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Bioaccumulation is the process by which organisms accumulate toxic substances in their bodies over time.

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What are some examples of substances that can biomagnify?

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Examples include mercury, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane).

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What is the difference between biomagnification and bioaccumulation?

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Bioaccumulation refers to the accumulation of substances in an individual organism, while biomagnification refers to the increase in concentration of these substances as they move up the food chain.