Ch 6 CLIMATE CHANGE AND EVOLUTION OF HERBICIDE AND PESTICIDE RESISTANCE Flashcards
Explain the Greenhouse Effect on Earth and why it is important that it exists for life on earth.
‘Greenhouse gases’ are crucial to keeping our planet at a suitable temperature for life. Without the natural greenhouse effect, the heat emitted by the Earth would simply pass outwards from the Earth’s surface into space and the Earth would have an average temperature of about -20°C.
Explain how the Greenhouse Effect is closely connected to Global Climate Change
increases in the number of greenhouse gases will mean that more heat is trapped, increasing the amount of energy in the Earth system (Earth’s energy budget), and raising Earth’s temperature. This increase in Earth’s average temperature is also known as global warming.
Describe two biological sources of evidence that Global Climate Change (specific warming) is occurring
melting polar glaciers or ice
- Water levels and seas rising and expanding due to heat
Explain how the two most used fossil fuels, coal, and oil
coal - compressed plant material in low O2
Oil - compressed algae in low O2
Explain how the two most used fossil fuels, coal, and oil formed and then explain why burning them contributes substantially to global climate change.
coal - compressed plant material in low O2
Oil - compressed algae in low O2
Contribute to climate change - they release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming.
Explain how the human population and current agriculture make addressing global climate change more difficult.
Due to the overuse of fossil fuels and some countries are overpopulated and do not have enough food to survive
Define mutation
random change in DNA; new variation, variants
Define natural selection
is the process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change.
Specifically, explain how mutation and natural selection together can result in a population of mosquitoes becoming resistant to a pesticide.
With mutation mosquitos cDNA can be altered if they by pesticides that doesn’t kill them
What are three things that farmers should do to decrease the rate at which pesticide and herbicide resistance evolves in insect pests and weed plants respectively
Use fewer pesticides
- Rotate cropping
- Avoid using acids where resistance is common
Why do farmers decrease the pesticide rate which makes it so helpful?
non-chemical management methods on your lawn and garden, such as introducing beneficial insects and wild, native plants, or using physical methods, including hand weeding, mulching, or setting traps, to reduce chemical use outdoors.
A friend says, “We have to stop using pesticides to kill insects. The pesticides are making the insects resistant. I also don’t want to eat pesticide-tainted food and become resistant myself.” Although your friend has some things right, there is one thing that’s a bit misguided and one thing that shows really serious confusion. Gently correct your friend about these two things.
