In: Biology
Define bioaccumulation. What role does lipid content play in the accumulation of hydrophobic organic contaminants within the tissues of exposed organisms?
Question
Bioaccumulation is the phenomeon where toxic material get accumulated in the body of living organism. Toxic material such as DDT, mercury get accumulated in the tissue of an organism. These toxic chemicals have a tedency to accumulate at a rate faster than the rate at which it is excreted from the body.
Lipid play very important role in the accumulation of hydrophobic substance. This is because lipid being hydrophobic in nature attract hydrophobic or water-repelling substance. Many of the toxic like DDT are lipophilic and get accumulated in the adipose tissue.