Science·Ecosystems & Habitats·conceptual
Toxins Building Up in Food Chains
Explain how organisms affect and are affected by their environment, including the bioaccumulation of toxic materials (e.g. pesticides, heavy metals) through food chains
Suggested ages 12–13
Evidence of understanding
- Defines bioaccumulation and explains why toxins increase in concentration higher up the food chain
- Gives a real example of bioaccumulation (e.g. DDT in peregrine falcons, mercury in tuna)
- Explains how organisms can change their habitat (e.g. earthworms aerating soil, beavers creating wetlands)
- Discusses why top predators are most at risk from bioaccumulation
Assessment prompt
If Toxins Building Up in Food Chains heard that large fish like tuna can contain more mercury than small fish, could they explain why that is — even though the tuna didn’t encounter mercury directly?
Standards alignment
MS-LS2-4US · ngss-ms
MS-LS2-4
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School
MS-LS2-5US · ngss-ms
MS-LS2-5
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Middle School
KS3.Sci.Bio.Ecosystem.3GB · uk-nc-2013
Organisms and their environment
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3