Which of the following best distinguishes bioaccumulation from biomagnification?

• A. Bioaccumulation occurs only in plants, whereas biomagnification occurs only in animals.
• B. Bioaccumulation involves the breakdown of toxins, while biomagnification involves their elimination.
• C. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification are two terms for the same process.
• D. Bioaccumulation refers to the buildup of substances within a single organism over time, while biomagnification describes the increase in concentration of substances as they move up the food chain.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions of bioaccumulation and biomagnification: Bioaccumulation refers to the buildup of substances, such as toxins, within a single organism over time. Biomagnification, on the other hand, describes the increase in concentration of these substances as they move up the food chain.
2. Recognize the key difference: Bioaccumulation occurs within one organism, while biomagnification involves multiple organisms across trophic levels in a food chain.
3. Consider examples to clarify: For bioaccumulation, think of a fish absorbing mercury from water over its lifetime. For biomagnification, consider how mercury concentration increases as larger fish eat smaller fish, and humans consume the larger fish.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: The first option is incorrect because bioaccumulation occurs in both plants and animals. The second option is incorrect because neither process involves the breakdown or elimination of toxins. The third option is incorrect because bioaccumulation and biomagnification are distinct processes.
5. Select the correct answer: Based on the definitions and examples, the correct answer is that bioaccumulation refers to the buildup of substances within a single organism over time, while biomagnification describes the increase in concentration of substances as they move up the food chain.