Environmental Science, Chapter 10, Section 4.

The correct answer is FDA, EPA, and USDA. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates pesticides in food and animal feed. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is responsible for regulating the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides to protect human health and the environment. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) provides oversight and regulation of pesticides used in agriculture, including crop protection and pest control.

Integrated pest management requires more expert knowledge about individual pest-crop situations. This is because integrated pest management involves the use of various techniques, such as biological control and cultural practices, to manage pests in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. It requires a deep understanding of the specific pests and crops involved in order to effectively implement the most appropriate strategies.

The weakness of using pheromones is that they are costly and time-consuming to produce. This means that it requires a significant investment of resources and time to produce enough pheromones for effective use. This can be a limitation in terms of scalability and practicality, especially in large-scale applications or when dealing with limited resources.

An integrated pest management program aims to minimize crop damage to a level that is economically acceptable. This means that the program focuses on implementing various strategies to control pests in a way that is both effective and cost-efficient. By utilizing multiple pest control methods such as biological control, cultural practices, and targeted pesticide use, the program seeks to keep crop damage at a tolerable level without relying solely on increased pesticide use, which can be harmful to the environment and costly for farmers.

Since 1945, around 1,000 species of insects have developed resistance to one or more insecticides. This means that these insects have evolved mechanisms to survive exposure to insecticides that would normally kill them. This resistance can occur through various mechanisms such as genetic mutations or changes in behavior. The development of resistance in insects is a significant concern as it poses challenges for pest control and can lead to reduced effectiveness of insecticides over time.

The correct answer is "Is opposed by politically and economically powerful agricultural chemical companies". This answer suggests that switching to integrated pest management may not be easy because it faces opposition from agricultural chemical companies who have political and economic influence.

According to pesticide proponents, pesticides are believed to work fast, increase profit for farmers, save lives, and increase food supplies. This means that proponents argue that pesticides have the ability to quickly eliminate pests, leading to higher profits for farmers by protecting their crops, preventing diseases that can be harmful to humans, and ultimately increasing the overall food production.

The correct answer is "A chemical that controls an organism's growth and development." This is because hormones are chemical substances produced by the body that regulate various physiological processes, including growth and development. They act as messengers, signaling cells or tissues to perform specific functions and maintain homeostasis within the organism. Hormones play a crucial role in controlling processes such as metabolism, reproduction, and response to stress.

Modern synthetic pesticides pose a serious problem as they can lead to pest organisms developing genetic resistance, making them harder to control. Additionally, these pesticides can be costly for farmers to use, affecting their profitability. Furthermore, they often harm beneficial insect populations, disrupting the ecosystem's balance. Lastly, these pesticides can also contribute to environmental pollution, impacting both wildlife and human health. Therefore, all of the given answers correctly identify serious problems associated with the use of modern synthetic pesticides.

A pheromone is a species-specific chemical sex attractant. Pheromones are chemicals that are secreted by organisms to communicate with others of the same species. They are used to attract mates and signal readiness for reproduction. By releasing pheromones, organisms can attract potential partners and increase their chances of successful reproduction. Pheromones are specific to each species, meaning that they only attract individuals of the same species.

Planting monocultures would be the least beneficial approach in trying to reduce insect damage. Monocultures refer to the practice of growing only one type of crop in a large area. This lack of diversity makes the crops more vulnerable to insect pests, as the pests can easily spread and multiply in such a concentrated environment. In contrast, rotating crops, genetic engineering of crops, bringing in natural enemies, and planting polycultures all promote biodiversity and can help reduce insect damage by disrupting pest lifecycles and providing natural pest control mechanisms.

Biological control of pests is a method that involves using natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control pest populations. Unlike pesticides, which can be toxic to both pests and the environment, biological control is not toxic to use. This method relies on the introduction or enhancement of natural enemies to regulate pest populations, providing a more eco-friendly and sustainable approach to pest management. While it may require additional costs and may not always be as fast-acting as pesticides, the fact that it is not toxic to use makes it a preferred option for many.

Rachel Carson's investigative work on the environmental effects of pesticides, as well as her publication of "Silent Spring," eventually led to the banning of many pesticides in the United States and other countries. This suggests that her work had a significant impact on environmental policy and regulation, highlighting the detrimental effects of pesticides and advocating for their restriction. The banning of these pesticides demonstrates the influence and importance of Carson's work in raising awareness about the potential dangers of these chemicals and advocating for more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Broad-spectrum pesticides can increase the number of pest species by multiple mechanisms. Firstly, they can lead to the development of genetic resistance in the pests, making them less susceptible to the pesticide over time. Additionally, these pesticides can kill the predators of the pest species, which would have otherwise helped control their population. Furthermore, they can also eliminate parasites that naturally keep the pest population low. Therefore, all of the given answers are correct in explaining how broad-spectrum pesticides may increase the number of pest species.

The National Academy of Sciences estimated that 98% of the potential risk of developing cancer from pesticide residue on food could be eliminated if EPA standards for pre-1972 pesticides were as strict as standards for later pesticides. This suggests that the stricter regulations on later pesticides have been effective in reducing the risk of cancer from pesticide residue, and if the same standards were applied to pre-1972 pesticides, a significant reduction in risk could be achieved.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that the passage states that the use of pesticides has increased by 33-fold since 1942 in the United States. However, it does not provide any information about the effectiveness of these pesticides in reducing crop loss to pests. Therefore, it can be inferred that the percentage of food crops lost to pests is the same as in the 1940s, as there is no data to suggest otherwise.