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Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [2]
Use of several pesticides which results in excessive accumulation of pesticides in rivers or ponds, is a matter of deep concern. Justify this statement.
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 31/4/1 Q26
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:43 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Pesticides are non-biodegradable substances. When they enter water bodies, they are absorbed by aquatic plants, then pass to herbivores, then to carnivores. At each trophic level, their concentration increases — a process called biological magnification. By the time they reach top consumers (including humans), the concentration becomes dangerously high, harming health and disrupting the ecosystem.

Explanation

The key concept here is biological magnification — examiners expect you to name it and explain that non-biodegradable pesticides accumulate progressively at each trophic level. Two marks = name the phenomenon + explain the consequence (harm to top consumers/ecosystem). Avoid writing vague answers like "it is harmful" without explaining why (i.e., the magnification mechanism).

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Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.