Final answer:
Biomagnification is the increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem. It occurs when nonbiodegradable substances pass through the food chain and accumulate in the bodies of organisms. A well-known example is the accumulation of PCBs in predatory fish species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biomagnification is increasing concentration of persistent, toxic substances in organisms at each trophic level in ecosystem. It occurs when nonbiodegradable substances, such as pesticides or heavy metals, are passed from lower to higher trophic levels through the food chain. These substances tend to accumulate in the bodies of organisms as they consume other organisms. A well-known example of biomagnification is the accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in predatory fish species, which can then be consumed by birds, leading to high levels of PCBs in their bodies.