Multiple choice

Which of the following options correctly represents the arrangement of organisms in increasing order of concentration of heavy metals in their body?

A study found a particular heavy metal contaminating a lake. The given illustration depicts a food chain existing in the lake. 

Phytoplankton -----> Zooplankton -----> Smelt -----> Lake trout -----> Herring gull

  1. Lake trout < Phytoplankton < Zooplankton < Smelt < Herring gull

  2. Phytoplankton < Zooplankton < Smelt < Lake trout < Herring gull

  3. Zooplankton < Phytoplankton < Smelt < Herring gull < Lake trout

  4. Smelt < Zooplankton < Phytoplankton < Herring gull < Lake trout
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The concentration of heavy metals in the body of the organisms increases with the increase in trophic level. Since phytoplanktons are present at the lowermost trophic level, the concentration of heavy metals in phytoplanktons will be minimum, while the concentration of heavy metals in herring gull will be the highest as it is present at the highest trophic level. Hence, the correct order of organisms with increasing levels of heavy metals is option 2.

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