Structural Pest Control Applicator Practice Exam

Even though persistent pesticides remain in the environment, do they accumulate in animals or plants?

1. True

2. False

3. Only in moderate amounts

4. It depends on the pesticide

The correct answer is: True

The correct answer is that persistent pesticides can indeed accumulate in animals and plants. Persistence refers to the ability of a pesticide to remain in the environment for extended periods. When these substances are used, they can enter the soil, water, and biological systems, leading to bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation occurs when organisms absorb these chemicals faster than they can eliminate them, resulting in increasing concentrations within their tissues over time. Such accumulation can lead to harmful effects on the organisms themselves and potentially disrupt entire ecosystems. Persistent pesticides can also move up the food chain, where animals at higher trophic levels may accumulate even greater concentrations of these substances — a phenomenon known as biomagnification. This characteristic of persistent pesticides emphasizes the risks they pose, not just to target pest species but also to non-target species, including humans through dietary intake. The other responses suggest alternatives that do not accurately represent the behavior of persistent pesticides in the environment, as they overlook the established consequences of this accumulation in ecosystems.