History and Impact of Pesticides

What was the first substance used to repel insects around 500 B.C.?

• mercury

• lead

• sulfur

• arsenic

Which pesticide's discovery in 1939 by Paul Mueller revolutionized pest control?

• malathion

• DDT

• Roundup

• Captan

Which type of pesticide has the highest persistence in the environment?

• fungicide

• herbicide

• DDT (insecticide)

• Bactericide

What percentage of pesticides are used in developed countries?

• 505

• 655

• 75%

• 90%

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Why are chlorine-based pesticides like DDT particularly problematic?

• they dissolve in water

• they accumulate in fatty tissues

• they break down quickly

• they only affect insects

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

When was DDT banned in Canada?

• 1965

• 1969

• 1971

• 1975

What is bioamplification?

• increased pest resistance

• rapid pesticide breakdown

• increasing toxin concentration up the food chain

• enhanced plant growth

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NGSS.HS-LS4-5

How do newer pesticides differ from DDT?

• they are fat-soluble

• they are water-soluble

• they are more persisten

• they only target insects

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

What characterizes first-generation pesticides?

• synthetic chemicals

• plant-derived substances

• laboratory-made compounds

• modern technology

Which compounds were abandoned in the 1920s due to their toxicity to humans?

• nicotine sulfate and rotenone

• DDT and malathion

• arsenic, lead, and mercury

• sulfur and copper