Chemistry section 13 Flashcards
What are the main uses of DDT?
Insecticide
Why is DDT no longer used by developed countries?
The concentration accumulated greatly in the environment started interacting poorly with the eggs of birds
Why do some undeveloped countries still use DDT
kills mosquitos in low income areas and ares which may have malaria
Explain how DDT works as an insecticide
DDT opens sodium ion channels in neurons, causes the neurons to fire, seizures occur and eventually kills the insect
What is meant by Bioconcentration factor?
The equilibrium ration of the concentration of a chemical in a fish relative to its concentration in the surrounding water
What is meant by bioconcentration?
When compounds build up in the fatty tissues of organisms after coming into contact with the compound in the environment
What is meant by biomagnification?
An increase in the concentration of a chemical as you move up the food chain
What is one analog of DDT which doesn’t bioaccumulate?
methoxychloro
Why are organophosphate insecticides considered superior to orgonochlorine pesticides
Not persistent and don’t bioaccumulate
