Environmental Studies · Biology

Pesticides and Pest Control

1,236 Questions

Pesticides and Pest Control focuses on the management of invasive species through chemical, biological, and cultural methods. It includes topics like integrated pest management, herbicide targets, and the ecological impacts of toxic chemicals. This subject is frequently tested in environmental science and agriculture exams.

Integrated Pest ManagementBiological Control AgentsHerbicide MechanismsChemical Pesticide ToxicityGenetic Pest ResistanceInvasive Species Management

Pesticides and Pest Control Questions

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Which one of the following is a third generation pesticides?

  1. Chemosterilants

  2. Organochlorines

  3. Antifeedants

  4. Carbamates
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Antifeedants are third generation pesticides. With the essential principles of hormonal insecticides worked out, the third generation insecticide may be just a few years away.

First-generation pesticides were primarily used prior to 1940 and consisted of inorganic and organic compounds. 
Minerals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead are inorganic compounds and were used as early pesticides. These minerals, when used as pesticides, posed a problem, because they did not degrade in the environment. The minerals persist and accumulate in the soil until the levels become so high, that the land is unfertile.
Organic compounds were created from plants, and pesticides used the plants developed resistance to insects. These organic compounds are known as botanicals. Pesticides such as pyrethrin come from chrysanthemum flowers. Rotenone is isolated from jewel vine and nicotine is found in tobacco. Unlike Inorganic compounds, botanicals do degrade in the environment and do not persist. However, these pesticides are highly toxic to other organisms such as fish and bees. 
Synthetic botanicals were also produced as first-generation pesticides. They are created chemically to mimic the structure of plant produced botanicals. Pyrethroid, similar to the botanical version of pyrethrin, was an important synthetic botanical because it did not persist in the environment.
Second-Generation Pesticides- Second-generation pesticides differ from earlier pesticides, in which they are created synthetically. They began to be used in the 1940s after Paul Müller discovered DDT in 1939. The three most common groups of second-generation pesticides are Chlorinated hydrocarbons, Organophosphates, and Carbamates. These groups are known as insecticides. Each group displays different properties. Some insecticides are persistent while others break down and do not bioaccumulate. Their toxicity to mammals also fluctuates between insecticides.
Examples of Second Generation Pesticides-
Chlorinated hydrocarbons
            -DDT
            -Methoxychlor
            -Lindane
            -Endosulfan
Organophosphates
            -Methamidophos
            -Dimethoate
            -Malathion
Carbamates
    -Aldicarb
    -Carbaryl
Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

DDT is a/an

  1. Carbamate

  2. Organophosphate

  3. Organochlorine

  4. Triazine
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a colourless, crystalline, tasteless and almost odourless organochloride. It is known for its insecticidal properties. DDT has been formulated in almost every conceivable form, including solutions in xylene or petroleum distillates, emulsifiable concentrates, water-wettable powders, granules, aerosols, smoke candles and charges for vaporizers and lotions. Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Shell of egg in bird becomes thin (not properly formed) due to the pollution of pesticides. This is due to interference in the activity of

  1. Ca ATPase

  2. Mg ATPase

  3. Calmodulin

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Due to chronic injection of pesticides like DDT in birds resulted in thinner and weaker shell. The Ca-ATPase pump responsible for transporting Ca which is inhibited by the pesticide and results in less Ca in the shell. Thus , the correct answer is option A. 

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Which of the following statement is an impact of biomagnification?
A) Salmon exposed to a sub-lethal dose of the DDT increases the sensitivity to cold.
B) Dialdrin decreases the growth rate of female white-tailed deer.
C) The contamination caused at the primary level is less than the secondary level.

  1. Both A and B

  2. Both A and C

  3. Only A

  4. A, B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Biomagnification is the process where the concentration of toxins increases as they move up the food chain. All listed examples (DDT effects on salmon, Dialdrin effects on deer, and the concentration gradient between trophic levels) are recognized impacts or characteristics of this phenomenon.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

The process of accumulation of pesticides in a biological system is known as 

  1. Bioaccumulation

  2. Bioconcentration

  3. Bioremediation

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The accumulation of chemicals in the living cells is known as bioaccumulation. When there is excessive use of the pesticides for the protection of fruits and vegetables against the harmful pests, this may lead to its accumulation in the food products. When these products are consumed, the chemicals deposit in the fatty tissues of the host. This phenomenon is called bioaccumulation of the chemicals in the living system.

Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Development of resistant strains of target pest is a

  1. Positive effect of bimagnification

  2. Negative impact of pesticides

  3. Negative impact of population

  4. Positive effect of using biosensor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The development of resistant pest strains is a significant drawback of pesticide use, as it renders the chemicals less effective and necessitates higher doses or new chemicals. This is classified as a negative impact of pesticide application.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Integrated pest management aims at 

  1. Controlling the number of pest

  2. Decreasing the development of pests resistance

  3. Increasing the pest resistance capability

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that combines various methods to keep pest populations below economic injury levels while minimizing environmental impact. This includes controlling pest numbers and managing the development of resistance.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

.........., a related phenomenon, occurs when the genetic mutation that made the pest resistant to one pesticide also makes it resistant to others

  1. Multiple resistance

  2. Cross-resistance

  3. Mutation

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
In multiple resistance the pests are resistant to more than one class of pesticide. This can happen when pesticides are used in sequence, with a new class replacing one to which pests display resistance with another.
Cross resistance occurs when the genetic mutation that made the pest resistant to one pesticide also makes it resistant to others, often those with a similar mechanism of action.
Mutation is the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form which may be transmitted to subsequent generations.
So, the correct answer is option B.
Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Resistance to insecticides was first documented by

  1. J.C bose

  2. A.K Chakraborty

  3. A. L. Melander

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A. L. Melander is historically credited with the first documented case of insect resistance to an insecticide, specifically the San Jose scale's resistance to lime sulfur in 1914.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

The pesticide used as preventive measure in buildings is

  1. Aldrin

  2. Dieldrin

  3. Endrin

  4. DDT
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Pesticides are important pollutants of soil. They include insecticides, fungicides, algicides, rodenticides and weedicides. Pesticides are generally broad spectrum and function as biocides. Organochlorines and chlorinated hydrocarbons are an important class of pesticides. The important ones are dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), Benzene hexachloride (BHC), aldrin, dieldrin and endrin. They are persistent, fat soluble, and show biomagnification and hence, are harmful to higher trophic level of organisms. Aldrin was used in buildings to protect against insects, such as termites.

So, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Among pesticides, zinc phosphide is used for 

  1. As rodenticide bait

  2. Fumigation

  3. Both A and B

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Zinc phosphide is a highly potent rodenticide. It has a wide range of uses commercially and residentially, including the protection of food crops and grasses. As a rodenticide, it can kill mice and voles and also be used as a fumigant in storehouse to control post - harvest pests such as rice weevils, grannary weevils, wheat moths, cotton red bollworms etc.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Consider the following four measures (A-D) that could be taken to successfully grow chickpea in an area, where bacterial blight disease is common.
A. Spray with Bordeaux mixture.
B. Control of the insect vector of the disease pathogen.
C. Use of only disease free seeds.
D. Use of varieties resistant to the disease.


Which two of the above measures can control the disease?

  1. C and D

  2. A and D

  3. B and C

  4. A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bacterial blight is a serious disease of field peas that is caused by the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. It can be controlled by crop rotation, time of sowing, farm hygiene, sowing disease free seed and using resistant varieties.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Which one of the following pesticide is banned these days?

  1. Aldrin

  2. Endrin

  3. DDT

  4. Toxaphene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

DDT was banned because of concern over carcinogenicity, bioaccumulation and health effects on wildlife. In addition to these concerns, resistance to DDT occurs in some insects (like the house fly) that develop the ability to quickly metabolize DDT into the lower toxicity breakdown product DDE. DDT affects the nervous system by interfering with normal nerve impulses. DDT causes the nerve cells to repeatedly generate an impulse which accounts for the repetitive body tremors seen in exposed animals.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

The chemical used in National Malaria Eradication Programme is

  1. 2, 4-D

  2. BHC

  3. DDT

  4. Pyrethroid
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

DDT was used for malaria control at the end of WWII. National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP), started an attack phase for indoor residual spraying of DDT which resulted in malaria eradication. As a collateral benefit, DDT eliminated kala - azar and plague and wiped out nuisance of household insects. Such a spectacular success made the use of DDT popular.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Major drawback of DDT as a pesticide is that

  1. Organisms at once develop resistance to it.

  2. It is significantly less effective than other pesticides.

  3. It's cost of production is high.

  4. It is not easily and rapidly degraded in nature.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

DDT is highly persistent in the environment. The soil half-life for DDT is from 2 to 15 years and in an aquatic environment, is about 150 years. Due to slow degradation DDT causes air, soil and water pollution.