What term describes buildup of pesticides in fat tissue within an organism over time?

• A. Bioaccumulation
• B. Biomagnification
• C. Leaching
• D. Drift

Answer: (A)

Accumulation in fat tissue within an organism over time is called bioaccumulation. This occurs when a pesticide, especially a fat-loving (lipophilic) one, is taken in from the environment or diet faster than the body can eliminate it. Over time, it builds up in the organism’s tissues, often storing in fat because fat tends to attract and hold these compounds. This means an individual can carry a higher internal dose than what was initially encountered, potentially leading to longer-term health effects.

Biomagnification, by contrast, describes increasing concentrations of a pesticide as you move up the food chain—from prey to predator—which is a broader ecosystem effect. Leaching is the movement of pesticides through soil with water into deeper layers or groundwater, and drift refers to pesticide particles moving through the air away from the application site.