Final answer:
Biomagnification describes the process where toxic substances accumulate and become more concentrated across trophic levels in an ecosystem. Endocrine disruptors can have serious effects even at low doses. Cyanide poisoning leads to increased pH in the intermembrane space and disrupts ATP synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes the process whereby toxic substances increase along trophic levels of an ecosystem is known as biomagnification or bioaccumulation.
This phenomenon occurs because toxins such as heavy metals, dioxins, and pesticides are absorbed and retained in the tissues of organisms. As these organisms are consumed by predators at a higher trophic level, the concentration of toxins increases.
For example, mercury in water can accumulate in large fish like swordfish, becoming toxic to humans who consume them. This process, along with the emergent understanding of endocrine disruption, has forced toxicologists to reassess how they evaluate risk, considering that very low doses of contaminants can alter gene expression and hormone levels with serious ecological and health consequences.
Cyanide poisoning, which inhibits cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain (ETC), would cause the pH of the intermembrane space to increase due to a halt in proton pumping into this space.
Consequently, the synthesis of ATP would be negatively impacted, leading to cellular energy failure and potential fatality.