Biomagnification and PPM Calculations

The video tutorial covers a biomagnification lab, explaining how chemicals like DDT travel through food chains and accumulate in organisms. It provides a detailed procedure for setting up the lab, using beans to represent algae cells, and calculating the concentration of DDT in parts per million. Students are guided through data entry and encouraged to work with partners to complete the lab and answer analysis questions.

What is the main purpose of the biomagnification lab?

• To observe how chemicals are produced

• To simulate how chemicals travel through a food chain

• To measure the speed of chemical reactions

• To identify different types of algae

Which of the following is a harmful effect of DDT on seabirds?

• Strengthens their eggshells

• Prevents proper eggshell production

• Increases their lifespan

• Enhances their vision

What does the term 'bioaccumulation' refer to?

• The breakdown of chemicals in water

• The accumulation of chemicals in organisms

• The production of chemicals by plants

• The evaporation of chemicals into the air

In the lab, what do the white beans represent?

• Algae without DDT

• Algae with DDT

• Bluegill fish

• Osprey birds

How many total beans should be counted for the algae cells?

• 50

• 120

• 100

• 80

What is the first step in setting up the lab experiment?

• Calculating parts per million

• Filling the cups with water

• Separating the beans

• Entering organism names into Table A

What should you do if you don't have the exact number of beans?

• Use fewer beans

• Ignore the discrepancy

• Ask the teacher for more supplies

• Use more beans

How do you calculate parts per million (PPM) in this lab?

• Add the number of DDT-infected cells to the total

• Divide the amount of DDT by the total number of organisms

• Subtract the number of DDT-infected cells from the total

• Multiply the amount of DDT by the total number of organisms

What is the concentration of DDT in the first trophic level?

• 0.4 parts per million

• 0.3 parts per million

• 0.2 parts per million

• 0.1 parts per million

What is the final step after completing the lab procedure?

• Discuss with your partner

• Recount the beans

• Finish the analysis questions

• Clean the lab area