Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem (Environment and Ecology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–1 of 1 question
UPSC 2010Environment and Ecology · Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem
Q1. 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?
Explanation
This increasing concentration of a toxic substance as it moves up the food chain is known as biomagnification. Predators at the highest trophic levels like hawks suffer the most severe effects, including reproductive issues, weakened immune systems, and neurological damage due to the high pesticide load. When a chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide like DDT enters the food chain, it accumulates in fatty tissues through bioaccumulation. As predators consume contaminated prey, the pesticide concentration increases, peaking in top predators due to biomagnification. Thus in the above food chain--Food crop Rat Snake Hawk--the hawk experiences the highest pesticide concentration.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2010
(d) Hawk
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem (Environment and Ecology), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem?
Questions on Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem (Environment and Ecology) are available for 12 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
