Which statement best explains why persistent, fat-solublechemicals such as methylmercury accumulate in the highesttrophic levels?a. Animals at the highest trophic levels eat the lowest-quality food.b. The amount of biomass increases in each trophic level, and largeorganisms accumulate the most methylmercury.c. Large organisms are often herbivores, so they would consumemethylmercury directly.d. Methylmercury does not leave an animal’s body; each predatortherefore consumes the mercury contained in many prey.

Concepts of Biology
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Chapter20: Ecosystems And The Biosphere
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 5RQ: Which term describes the process whereby toxic substances increase along trophic levels of an...
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Which statement best explains why persistent, fat-soluble
chemicals such as methylmercury accumulate in the highest
trophic levels?
a. Animals at the highest trophic levels eat the lowest-quality food.
b. The amount of biomass increases in each trophic level, and large
organisms accumulate the most methylmercury.
c. Large organisms are often herbivores, so they would consume
methylmercury directly.
d. Methylmercury does not leave an animal’s body; each predator
therefore consumes the mercury contained in many prey.

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