True or False: Persistent pesticides always accumulate in animals or plants.

The statement that persistent pesticides always accumulate in animals or plants is false. While persistent pesticides are designed to break down slowly in the environment, it does not mean they will always accumulate in all organisms. Accumulation depends on various factors, including the chemical properties of the pesticide, the organism's biology, and the environment in which they are found.

Some pesticides may bioaccumulate in certain species, particularly those with fat-soluble compounds, but this is not universal for all persistent pesticides across all organisms. Additionally, not every organism has the same capacity for accumulation, meaning some species are better at metabolizing or excreting these substances. Therefore, the notion that persistent pesticides always result in accumulation is an oversimplification of a more complex ecological interaction.