Which statement best describes bioaccumulation?

Which statement best describes bioaccumulation?

• A. Pesticide residues dissipate quickly
• B. Pesticide residues remain in water only
• C. Pesticide residues accumulate in living tissue over time
• D. Pesticide residues accumulate only in fat tissue

Answer: (C)

Bioaccumulation means a chemical persists in the environment and builds up inside a living organism over time because uptake exceeds elimination. The best description is that pesticide residues accumulate in living tissue over time. Pesticides can enter through water or food and are often stored in tissues, frequently in fat for lipophilic compounds, but the essential point is that the chemical concentration rises inside the organism rather than simply dissipating or staying only in water. The other statements misstate the idea: rapid dissipation would prevent buildup, staying only in water ignores uptake by organisms, and accumulating only in fat tissue is too limited—bioaccumulation refers to buildup within the organism's tissues in general.

Bioaccumulation means a chemical persists in the environment and builds up inside a living organism over time because uptake exceeds elimination. The best description is that pesticide residues accumulate in living tissue over time. Pesticides can enter through water or food and are often stored in tissues, frequently in fat for lipophilic compounds, but the essential point is that the chemical concentration rises inside the organism rather than simply dissipating or staying only in water. The other statements misstate the idea: rapid dissipation would prevent buildup, staying only in water ignores uptake by organisms, and accumulating only in fat tissue is too limited—bioaccumulation refers to buildup within the organism's tissues in general.