Question

Assertion (A): Accumulation of harmful chemicals is maximum in the organisms at the highest trophic level of a food chain.

Reason (R): Harmful chemicals are sprayed on the crops to protect them from diseases and pests.

Options

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

• Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

• Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer 1

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

Explanation:

Poisons accumulate most in higher trophic levels due to biomagnification, which causes poisons to become more concentrated as they ascend the food chain. Chemicals in higher trophic levels are primarily absorbed by bioaccumulation from contaminated prey rather than direct crop spraying.