WVGSA Grade 5 Science Practice Questions - West Virginia General Summative Assessment Grade 5 Science Exam

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A research team measures synthetic pesticide concentration (DDT) across aquatic food chain levels: - Water: 0.000003 ppm - Plankton (Primary Consumers): 0.04 ppm - Small Fish (Secondary Consumers): 0.5 ppm - Large Fish (Tertiary Consumers): 2.0 ppm - Osprey (Apex Predators): 25.0 ppm Why is pesticide concentration in osprey tissue over 8 million times higher than in surrounding water?

Osprey drink millions of gallons of water directly each day. Toxins are non-biodegradable and accumulate in animal fat, multiplying in concentration at each higher step of the food chain (biomagnification). Water filters toxins out of fish and deposits them into birds. Decomposers synthesize pesticides inside osprey nests.

Correct Answer:

Toxins are non-biodegradable and accumulate in animal fat, multiplying in concentration at each higher step of the food chain (biomagnification).

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