Weeks 9 Study Questions

Study Questions Set #10a (Chapter 10) PESTICIDES—BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS

10-1. Distinguish among: biocides, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. If all of these kill pests, what are pests?

10-2. What are the major chemical types of pesticides and what are the principal intended targets of each.

10-3. What are some benefits of using pesticides? What are the harmful effects?

10-4. Describe the process that leads to pesticide resistance and resurgence in insects.

10-5. What kinds of pesticides become biologically magnified and how does this phenomenon take place (and read pp. 158-159).

10-6. In your opinion, what is the most environmentally harmful effect of pesticide overuse? Do you think the benefits of pesticide use outweigh their harmful effects? Why or why not?

Study Questions Set #10b (Chapter 10) PESTICIDE ALTERNATIVES

10-7. What do endocrine disruptors do? What kinds of pesticides might be involved?

10-8. What kind of evidence suggests that certain pesticides (and other chemicals) interfere with hormonal functions in wild animals?

10-8. Describe some cultural controls (under the rubric of “Behavioral changes” in your text) that can keep pest populations from building up.

10-9. What is a biological control? Describe how one might be used in general and then give a specific example.

10-10. What are the major components of Integrated Pest Management? How does this approach reduce the harmful impacts of pesticide use?