Chapter 8 Environmental Science

Poisons that are produced naturally are called ___________ substances.

toxic

Match the concentrations of DDT to where that concentration might be found based on the level of biomagnification.

0.003 ppb DDT in water 0.04ppm Zooplankton 0.5 ppm small fish 2 ppm large fish 25 ppm ospreys

Disease refers to Blank______. Multiple choice question. death well-being impairment of body functions unpleasant experiences

impairment of body functions

Biomagnification, in the case of a fish-eating osprey, refers to the fact that the osprey Blank______. Multiple choice question. , being larger, stores more toxins than a fish does accumulates compounds stored by all prey lower in the food chain accumulates toxins in more ways than a fish does

accumulates compounds stored by all prey lower in the food chain

Regulators struggle with how to set acceptable pollution levels based on the dose-response curve because Blank______. Multiple choice question. there is very little variability in the responses of individuals within a population costs may increase significantly to protect the very small number of highly sensitive individuals at the extreme end of the curve the curves are entirely hypothetical since no toxicity research is conducted due to ethical reasons

costs may increase significantly to protect the very small number of highly sensitive individuals at the extreme end of the curve

The heaviest burden of illness is borne by Blank______. Multiple choice question. rich countries where people eat a high-fat diet of highly processed foods countries in northern climates where many people die of weather-related illnesses developing countries where many people cannot afford adequate health care or to live in a healthy environment

developing countries where many people cannot afford adequate health care or to live in a healthy environment

Morbidity refers to , whereas mortality refers to . (Use only one word per blank.)

illness death

True or false: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health, we are all ill to some extent.

True

The naturally produced equivalent of a toxicant is a(n) Blank______. Multiple choice question. bacteria poison acid toxin

toxin

True or false: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that though 90 percent of all disease burden occurs in developing nations only about 10 percent of health care dollars are spent there. Multiple choice question. True False

true

Differences in physiology, metabolism, and body size result in species reacting Blank______ to a specific compound, which makes human risk difficult to estimate. Multiple choice question. unpredictably similarly very differently

very differently

Click and drag on elements in order DDT is a well-known case of biomagnification in the environment. Rank the stages in biomagnification of DDT, putting the earliest stage on top.

1. DDT is deposited in water from agricultural runoff2. Zooplankton consume DDT3. Small fish eat zooplankton4. Larger fish eat smaller fish5. Ospreys eat larger fish

water soluble oil-soluble types

1. These substances move widely in the environment and also have ready access to body cells as their solvent is ubiquitous2. These substances need a carrier molecule to move through the environment, but once they are inside cells they likely accumulate and persist.

Match the examples to chronic or acute effects and exposures 1. Exposure to radiation during an x-ray for a broken foot2. Developing radiation sickness after exposure to radiation3. Exposure to background radiation, like from radon gas4. Developing lung cancer after exposure to radiation

1. acute exposure2. acute effect3. chronic exposure4. chronic effect

Which of the following statements about chronic and acute exposure and effects are correct? Multiple select question. Acute exposures, because they involve short contact with a toxic chemical, rarely have long-term effects. Acute exposure involves a single contact with a toxic chemical. It may last a few seconds or a few hours. Chronic exposure involves continuous or repeated contact with a toxic substance over a long period of time (months or years). Chronic exposures are rarely life-threatening because the dosage in each exposure is generally very small.

Acute exposure involves a single contact with a toxic chemical. It may last a few seconds or a few hours. Chronic exposure involves continuous or repeated contact with a toxic substance over a long period of time (months or years).

Multiple Select Question Select all that apply Which of the following statements correctly describes how factors related to the individual influence how they respond to toxins in the environment? Multiple select question. Age affects susceptibility to toxins, as chemicals that might be relatively harmless to adults may be dangerous to young children. Where an individual lives determines his/her susceptibility to the chemical. Environmental regulations may affect susceptibility to toxins. Lack of protective laws may increase an individual's sensitivity to toxins. Immunological status affects susceptibility to toxins. A healthy individual may be insensitive to doses of toxins dangerous to someone who is ill.

Age affects susceptibility to toxins, as chemicals that might be relatively harmless to adults may be dangerous to young children. Immunological status affects susceptibility to toxins. A healthy individual may be insensitive to doses of toxins dangerous to someone who is ill.

Which of the following is an example of a synergistic effect? Multiple choice question. One hundred cups of coffee contain a lethal dose of caffeine, but since coffee is taken in smaller doses the toxin is broken down and excreted. Asbestos exposure and smoking each increase lung cancer rates 20-fold. Asbestos workers who smoke, however, have a 400-fold increase in cancer rates. Consuming vitamins A and E can reduce the risk of cancer despite the exposure to certain carcinogens.

Asbestos exposure and smoking each increase lung cancer rates 20-fold. Asbestos workers who smoke, however, have a 400-fold increase in cancer rates.

What factors make emergent diseases a special problem? Multiple choice question. Emergent diseases mainly affect children under 10 years of age, as their immune systems are not fully developed. At times we lack the medicines with which to treat them, as some emergent diseases are caused by drug-resistant strains of a pathogen. They usually are diseases that are completely unlike previously known diseases.

At times we lack the medicines with which to treat them, as some emergent diseases are caused by drug-resistant strains of a pathogen.

Which of these sentences properly describes the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification? Multiple choice question. Bioaccumulation can't occur without biomagnification. Biomagnification occurs because of bioaccumulation. Biomagnification and bioaccumulation are the same process but in macroscopic and microscopic organisms, respectively.

Biomagnification occurs because of bioaccumulation.

Today health agencies calculate DALYs rather than mortality rates as a measure of disease burden because Blank______. Multiple select question. DALYs are a more complete measure combining premature deaths and the loss of a healthy life resulting from mental illness or physical disability mortality data fail to capture the impacts of nonfatal outcomes of disease and injury on human well-being as the global disease burden shifts from infectious diseases toward chronic conditions, it is more useful to focus on the economic cost of disease

DALYs are a more complete measure combining premature deaths and the loss of a healthy life resulting from mental illness or physical disability mortality data fail to capture the impacts of nonfatal outcomes of disease and injury on human well-being

Why is diet a consideration in health? Multiple select question. Diet-related obesity can lead to illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There is only a weak link between diet and health, as diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes are caused by exposure to toxins. Vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy foods can boost our ability to tolerate toxins. Need help? Review these concept resources.

Diet-related obesity can lead to illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy foods can boost our ability to tolerate toxins.

Which of the following statements accurately describes how endocrine disrupters affect us? Multiple select question. Endocrine disrupters may cause reproductive dysfunction in females. Endocrine disrupters may cause damage to DNA that results in birth defects during embryonic development. Endocrine disrupters may interfere with growth and development. Endocrine disrupters may cause feminization of males.

Endocrine disrupters may cause reproductive dysfunction in females. Endocrine disrupters may interfere with growth and development. Endocrine disrupters may cause feminization of males.

Which of these is not a consideration of toxicology? Multiple choice question. Production and transport of synthetic chemicals Movement of toxic substances through ecosystems Eradication of diseases such as polio or smallpox

Eradication of diseases such as polio or smallpox

Which of the following are true about the effects of exposure to carcinogens? Multiple select question. Exposure to carcinogens such as toxic synthetic chemicals decreases the risk of developing cancer. Exposure to carcinogens can result in invasive, out-of-control cell growth that can cause malignant tumors. The U.S. EPA estimates that 200 million Americans live in areas where cancer risk from environmental carcinogens is ten times higher than normal. Carcinogens have little to do with cancer as most cancers are a consequence of lifestyle choices such as sunbathing and smoking.

Exposure to carcinogens can result in invasive, out-of-control cell growth that can cause malignant tumors. The U.S. EPA estimates that 200 million Americans live in areas where cancer risk from environmental carcinogens is ten times higher than normal.

Each factor listed below plays a role in determining environmental toxicity. Match each of the following factors to how it influences whether a particular chemical will prove to be dangerous. Instructions Match each of the following factors to how it influences whether a particular chemical will prove to be dangerous.

Factor related to the toxic agent--Composition and reactivity of the chemicalFactor related to the exposure-Dose and frequency of contact with the chemicalFactor related to the organism-Immunological status at the time of exposure to the chemical

What two causes of global disease burden, as ranked by DALYs, held the top two spots (although switched places) in 1990 and 2019? Multiple select question. Heart disease Infectious diseases Childbirth Malnutrition Diabetes

Heart disease Childbirth

Match each of the potential toxins listed below to their most likely routes of exposure. Toluene and formaldehyde from cigarette smoke Pesticide reside on food Endocrine disrupts like BHA in facial moistuizers Certain pharmaceuticals, vaccines and drugs

Inhalation (respiratory tract) Ingestion (gastrointestinal tract) Absorption (dermal) Injection (intramuscular)

What characteristics define an emergent disease? Multiple choice question. Most often it affects the youngest members of the population. It has not been previously known or has been absent for at least 20 years. As a new disease it is usually not widespread.

It has not been previously known or has been absent for at least 20 years.

Select all that apply The dose-response curve showing LD50, as provided here, describes which of the following ideas? Multiple select question. LD50 implies that roughly half of any population is not susceptible to a toxic substance. LD50 is the dose of the toxin that is lethal to half the population. Members of a population vary in sensitivity to a toxin. Most organisms tolerate some exposure to a toxin but ultimately the dose gets large enough to kill them. There is a significant difference in LD50 between chronic and acute exposure to a toxin.

LD50 is the dose of the toxin that is lethal to half the population. Members of a population vary in sensitivity to a toxin. Most organisms tolerate some exposure to a toxin but ultimately the dose gets large enough to kill them.

Match the cause of global disease burden to how much it changed in its contribution to DALYs between 1990 and 2019.

Malnutrition 3.1% to 1.8% Respiratory illness and tuberculosis 8.6% to 3.6% Diabetes, chronic kidney disease 1.9% to 4.4% Heart disease 9.0% to 13.3%

The dose-response curve shown here describes which of these ideas? Multiple choice question. Members of a population vary in their level of sensitivity to a toxin. All organisms tolerate some exposure to the toxin before they die from the exposure. No members of a population are susceptible to low doses of a toxin. Roughly half of any population is not susceptible to a toxic substance.

Members of a population vary in their level of sensitivity to a toxin.

What does the saying "the dose makes the poison" mean? Multiple choice question. Most substances are toxic at some level of exposure depending on the substance and the nature of the exposure. Any amount of a dangerous substance is unacceptable and counting the numbers of compounds detected is a reliable way to establish danger. All substances have equivalent potential for harm, so exposure to any of them is risky. What matters is the amount of a toxic substance present; whether or not we are exposed to the toxin is not relevant.

Most substances are toxic at some level of exposure depending on the substance and the nature of the exposure.

Which of the following accurately describe mutagens and their effects? Multiple select question. Mutagens are agents such as chemicals or radiation that damage DNA. Though mutagens can damage DNA, this is not much of a concern as cells have repair mechanisms to detect and restore this damage. Though cells have repair mechanisms to restore damaged DNA, there is no safe threshold for exposure to mutagens as the repair process may be flawed. The damage to genetic material by mutagens can lead to birth defects if the exposure occurs during fetal development.

Mutagens are agents such as chemicals or radiation that damage DNA. Though cells have repair mechanisms to restore damaged DNA, there is no safe threshold for exposure to mutagens as the repair process may be flawed. The damage to genetic material by mutagens can lead to birth defects if the exposure occurs during fetal development.

Which of the following accurately describe mutagens and their effects? Multiple select question. Though mutagens can damage DNA, this is not much of a concern as cells have repair mechanisms to detect and restore this damage. Mutagens are agents such as chemicals or radiation that damage DNA. Though cells have repair mechanisms to restore damaged DNA, there is no safe threshold for exposure to mutagens as the repair process may be flawed. The damage to genetic material by mutagens can lead to birth defects if the exposure occurs during fetal development.

Mutagens are agents such as chemicals or radiation that damage DNA. Though cells have repair mechanisms to restore damaged DNA, there is no safe threshold for exposure to mutagens as the repair process may be flawed. The damage to genetic material by mutagens can lead to birth defects if the exposure occurs during fetal development.

What does the image depict in the context of environmental toxicology? Multiple choice question. Physical characteristics of toxins in the environment An individual's ability to metabolize and eliminate toxins Potential routes of exposure to toxins in the environment An individual's susceptibility to toxins in the environment

Potential routes of exposure to toxins in the environment

Which aspect of antibiotic resistance development in microbes is depicted in this image? Multiple choice question. Antibiotics cause individuals to mutate as antibiotic material is inserted into bacterial cells. Random genetic mutations create antibiotic-resistant individuals that survive and multiply to develop into an antibiotic-resistant colony. Conjugation among different types of bacteria creates mutated-resistant genes spreading antibiotic resistance within a colony. incorrect

Random genetic mutations create antibiotic-resistant individuals that survive and multiply to develop into an antibiotic-resistant colony.

Of the many factors that determine whether a particular chemical will prove to be dangerous, which of the following are based on the nature of the chemical agent itself? Multiple select question. The chemical agent is not biodegradable and thus is persistent in the environment. The chemical agent was ingested only if one ate the skin of the apple. The individual exposed is particularly sensitive to the chemical agent. The chemical agent is water-soluble.

The chemical agent is not biodegradable and thus is persistent in the environment. The chemical agent is water-soluble.

Which of the following applies to ecological diseases? Multiple choice question. They occur naturally, and human intervention has little influence on them. They affect wildlife populations, such as bats and frogs. While they affect wildlife, they have little effect on humans.

They affect wildlife populations, such as bats and frogs.

Solubility is important in determining how a substance travels and is absorbed. Which type(s) of chemicals travel through the environment most easily? Multiple choice question. Water-soluble Acid-soluble Oil-soluble or fat-soluble

Water-soluble

You and your parents may disagree about the risk associated with your exposure to tobacco or alcohol. What is the most likely reason for the disagreement? Multiple choice question. We perceive risk differently, depending on control, interests, or context. Nobody knows for certain if tobacco and alcohol have toxic effects. Your parents are evaluating the risk nonrationally.

We perceive risk differently, depending on control, interests, or context.

Most of the cattle, hogs, and poultry in the United States is raised in densely packed barns and feedlots, so it is necessary to dose them continually with __________ to keep them disease free; in fact, 80 percent of this type of medicine used in the U.S. are fed to livestock.

antibiotics

The term disease refers to Blank______. Multiple choice question. illnesses from toxic substances only any abnormal change in body conditions that impairs normal functions dietary abnormalities only specific illnesses from infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses

any abnormal change in body conditions that impairs normal functions

The selective absorption and storage of a great variety of molecules inside cells and tissues at levels that are higher than in the environment is called Blank______. Multiple choice question. persistence biomagnification bioaccumulation solubility

bioaccumulation

Fill in the Blank Question Fill in the blank question. As shown in the figure, every organism in the Lake Michigan food chain has some DDT in their body tissues at concentrations higher than in the environment due to ___________ , whereas the reason that gulls, who are tertiary consumers, have about 240 times the concentration of compounds as compared to the small insects sharing the same environment is due to _________.

bioaccumulation biomagnification

When the toxic burden of organisms at a lower trophic level is accumulated and concentrated by a predator in a higher trophic level it is called Blank______. Multiple choice question. persistence biodegradation solubility biomagnification bioaccumulation

biomagnification

Substances that cause invasive, out-of-control cell growth resulting in tumors are called Blank______. Multiple choice question. allergens carcinogens teratogens mutagens

carcinogens

Neurotoxins are poisons that affect us by Blank______. Multiple choice question. mimicking hormones and interrupting normal hormone functions triggering a response in our immune systems causing abnormalities during embryonic growth and development causing nervous system damage

causing nervous system damage

Thalidomide was given to pregnant women as an anti-nausea medicine, but was later found to cause severe fetal limb deformities. This is an example of Blank______. Multiple choice question. condition of an individual has a strong influence on toxicity only the dose of a toxin is important stage of development not being important to toxicity

condition of an individual has a strong influence on toxicity

The DALY measure is the Blank______. Multiple choice question. calculated life expectancy of a person who is paralyzed due to a traffic accident or stroke average number of days it takes a person to recover from an infectious disease disability-adjusted life years, which evaluates the total cost of disease, not just how many people die measure of the predicted difference in the lifetime quality of life between a child born in the developed versus developing world

disability-adjusted life years, which evaluates the total cost of disease, not just how many people die

Nearly all substances are toxic depending on the amount, delivery rate, and method. This idea is summarized in the statement "the ___________ makes the poison."

dose

The study of toxicology Blank______. Multiple choice question. draws from many disciplines, including biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, among others is a specialized field focused primarily on chemistry and chemical compounds is primarily concerned with disease-causing infectious agents and malnutrition

draws from many disciplines, including biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, among others

The estrogen-like compound that acts as a substitute hormone and disrupts gene expression, as shown in the image, is a(n) Blank______. Multiple choice question. endocrine disrupter neurotoxin carcinogen immune system depressant

endocrine disrupter

Mortality refers to being ill, whereas morbidity refers to dying from a disease.

false

True or false: All species have approximately the same reaction to a specific compound.

false

true or false: Ecological diseases are infectious diseases that strictly affect wildlife or cause damage to habitats.

false

Eighty percent of antibiotics used in the United States are: Multiple choice question. for children. for the elderly. injected in the drinking water supply. for livestock.

for livestock.

The term LD50 refers to the Blank______. Multiple choice question. legally acceptable amount of a toxic substance lethal dose of a chemical for half of the population amount of a substance that would affect 50 people

lethal dose of a chemical for half of the population

The World Health Organization's definition of health includes Blank______ wellbeing. Multiple select question. spiritual mental physical social

mental physical social

Chemical agents that damage or alter DNA, which can result in birth defects during fetal development or tumor growth in later life, are called Blank______. Multiple choice question. mutagens carcinogens endocrine disrupters teratogens

mutagens

Microbes acquire resistance to antibiotics through different processes that include random and sexual reproduction.

mutations

A metabolic poison that specifically attacks nerve cells is a(n) _____________ .

neurotoxin

A metal such as lead that is stable, resistant to degradation, and can impair children's health long after exposure and far from where it might have first been used is of concern because of its Blank______. Multiple choice question. solubility persistence reactivity

persistence

The leading reasons for nonrational risk perception include ______.

political or economic interest related to the hazard personal ignorance about the hazard misunderstanding probabilities about harm from a hazard

Reduce the amount of salt and animal fat in your diet. Include pectins, vitamins (like A, C and E) and cruciferous vegetables (like cabbage and broccoli) in your diet) Eat fewer calories and exercise more Stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy

reduce cardiovascular disease reduces cancer risk reduces obesity-related illnesses reduces risk of fetal alcohol syndrome

In 1973, the FDA required that cancer-causing compounds must not be present in meat at concentrations that would cause a cancer risk greater than 1 in a million lifetimes. This decision of the FDA was based on Blank______. Multiple choice question. dose-response assessment risk perception hazard identification risk assessment risk characterization

risk

Persistence of chemicals can be a concern for health because such Blank______. Multiple choice question. stable chemicals are resistant to degradation and can cause problems long after application and far from the sites where they were originally used chemicals are unstable and they degrade rapidly in toxic agents that bioaccumulate in living organisms reactive chemicals are highly water-soluble and easily move from the environment into living organisms where they interfere with cell function

stable chemicals are resistant to degradation and can cause problems long after application and far from the sites where they were originally used

In environmental toxicity studies, when an interaction between two substances results in one of them exacerbating the effects of another by 20-fold it is called a(n) Blank______ interaction. Multiple choice question. antagonistic neutral additive synergistic

synergistic

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy. This specifically makes alcohol a Blank______. Multiple choice question. carcinogen mutagen neurotoxin teratogen

teratogen

Chemicals or other factors that specifically cause abnormalities during embryonic growth and development are called .

teratogens

Bioaccumulation is Blank______. Multiple choice question. the degree of dissolution of a substance in water or oil the rate at which toxic substances degrade when exposed to sun, air, and water when the toxic burden of organisms at a lower trophic level is accumulated and concentrated by a predator in a higher trophic level the selective absorption and storage of a great variety of molecules inside cells at levels that are higher than the environment

the selective absorption and storage of a great variety of molecules inside cells at levels that are higher than the environment