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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2010
Ecology & Ecosystems
Question No. 21Interactive Test Mode
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Q21. A pesticide which is a chlorinated hydrocarbon is sprayed on a food crop. The food chain is: Food crop – Rat – Snake – Hawk. In this food chain, the highest concentration of the pesticide would accumulate in which one of the following?

A pesticide which is a chlorinated hydrocarbon is sprayed on a food crop. The food chain is: Food crop – Rat – Snake – Hawk. In this food chain, the highest concentration of the pesticide would accumulate in which one of the following?

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
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Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2010 • Environment and Ecology

Correct Answer: Option (D) — Hawk

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

Option (d) is correct: Chlorinated hydrocarbons are persistent, fat-soluble pollutants that resist metabolic degradation. Through the phenomenon of biomagnification, the concentration of such non-biodegradable toxins progressively increases at each successive trophic level. Hence, the apex predator (Hawk) accumulates the highest pesticide concentration.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2010 (Q21)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicEnvironment and Ecology → Ecology & Ecosystems
Official Answer KeyOption (D) — Hawk

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2010 Q21

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2010 GS Paper I Question 21 (Environment and Ecology)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2010 Environment and Ecology (Ecology & Ecosystems) question is Option (D): "Hawk". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2010 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Environment and Ecology" and micro-topic "Ecology & Ecosystems". You can explore all repeated questions from Ecology & Ecosystems in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Ecology & Ecosystems UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

To solve Ecology & Ecosystems questions in UPSC Prelims, identify extreme modifiers, verify core NCERT conceptual definitions, and eliminate mutually contradictory statement pairs before locking your final option.

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