What is meant by a living indicator in Biology?

Skin cancer is a living indicator of the impact of human activity on the enviroment.
Explain what is meant by a living indicator

Reply 1

Salvius

not particularly sure, perhaps lichens or invertebrates. Lichens- indicators of pollution and invertebrates- the purity of water :smile:

Reply 2

Agent Mulder

Its usually an organism which shows pollution levels, like Mayfly = little pollution, ragtailed maggot = heavy pollution.

Reply 3

Princestia

indicators are usually things like ph levels or the results of chemical reactions. These are not living.

However, living indicators are indicators that are living.. lol like indactor species (animal indicators), e.g. nymph stone fly is an indicator for low pollution levels and rat tailed maggots are an indicator of high pollution levels..

Skin cancer is also a living indicator since cells cause skin cancer and cells are living..

Hope that made sense :smile:

Reply 4

ISABEL_100

LikeAStar

Skin cancer is a living indicator of the impact of human activity on the enviroment.
Explain what is meant by a living indicator

evidence of the effects of human activity on the environment shown on a live organism

Reply 5

George Agdgdgwngo

Lichen springs to mind. Basically a living species which has a measurable reaction in response to environmental conditions (air pollution etc.). I think mayfly (or mayfly larvae) is another one.