Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Biomagnification
noun
/ BY-oh-mag-nih-fih-KAY-shun /
Hard
Meaning
The increasing concentration of a toxic substance in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain
Origin / Etymology
Greek bios (life) + Latin magnificare (to make great)
Synonyms
Bioamplification
Biological magnification
Antonyms
Biodegradation
Bioremediation
Example Sentence
"Pesticides used near wetlands undergo biomagnification through the aquatic food chain, reaching lethal concentrations in apex predators like migratory raptors."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Essential for GS3 (environment, ecology) and Prelims. Often confused with bioaccumulation (within one organism) vs biomagnification (across trophic levels). Key in pollution, pesticide, and food chain questions.
Relevant Subjects