Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

General Biology

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

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2:23 minutes

Problem 5

Textbook Question

Ospreys and other top predators are most severely affected by pesticides such as PCBs because they
a. Are especially sensitive to chemicals.
b. Have very long life spans.
c. Store the pesticides in their tissues.
d. Consume prey in which pesticides are concentrated.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of biomagnification: Biomagnification refers to the process by which the concentration of toxic substances, such as pesticides, increases as it moves up the food chain. Top predators, like ospreys, are most affected because they consume prey that has accumulated these substances.

Analyze the options provided: Each option represents a potential reason why ospreys and other top predators are severely affected by pesticides. Carefully evaluate each one based on biological principles.

Option a: 'Are especially sensitive to chemicals' - While sensitivity to chemicals can vary among species, this is not the primary reason top predators are affected by pesticides like PCBs. Sensitivity alone does not explain the accumulation of toxins.

Option b: 'Have very long life spans' - Long life spans can contribute to the accumulation of toxins over time, but this is not the main factor in why top predators are severely affected. The key lies in their position in the food chain.

Option c and d: 'Store the pesticides in their tissues' and 'Consume prey in which pesticides are concentrated' - These two options are closely related to biomagnification. Top predators consume prey that has already accumulated pesticides, leading to higher concentrations in their own tissues. This is the most biologically accurate explanation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation refers to the process by which organisms accumulate toxic substances, such as pesticides, in their bodies over time. This occurs when the rate of intake of the substance exceeds the rate of elimination. In top predators like ospreys, this can lead to high concentrations of harmful chemicals, as they consume prey that has already accumulated these toxins.

Trophic Levels

Trophic levels represent the hierarchical positions of organisms in a food chain, based on their feeding relationships. Ospreys, as top predators, occupy the highest trophic level, meaning they consume other organisms (like fish) that may have ingested pesticides. This positioning leads to increased exposure to toxins through a process known as biomagnification, where concentrations of harmful substances increase at each successive trophic level.

Chemical Sensitivity

Chemical sensitivity refers to the vulnerability of certain species to the effects of environmental pollutants. Ospreys and other top predators may exhibit heightened sensitivity to chemicals like PCBs due to their physiological traits and ecological roles. This sensitivity can result in adverse health effects, including reproductive issues and weakened immune responses, exacerbated by their long life spans and accumulation of toxins.

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