Pesticides

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The term “pesticide” refers to any product that attracts, repels, or kills any kind of pest, though it is most commonly associated with plant protection products. It is a chemical agent which harms, kills, repels or in any way discourages pests (such as insects, weeds, birds, mammals, and fish) which destroy property or crops, or spread disease.
There are many different types of pesticides, including insecticides (which kill insects), herbicides (which kill plants) and fungicides (which kill fungi).
Many pesticides can be grouped into chemical families.
Some insecticide families include organochlorines, organophosphates, and carbamates. Organochlorine hydrocarbons could be separated into dichlorodiphenylethanes (DDT), cyclodiene compounds and other related compounds. They work by disrupting the sodium/potassium balance of the nerve fiber, resulting in the nerve transmitting continuously.
Organophosphate and carbamates operate through inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, allowing acetylcholine to transfer nerve impulses indefinitely and causing a variety of symptoms such as weakness or paralysis
Some families of herbicides include phenoxy and benzoic acid herbicides and triazines. Phenoxy compounds tend to selectively kill broad-leaf weeds rather than grasses and Triazines interfere with photosynthesis.
In 2009, there was a development of a new family of fungicides called paldoxins. These work by taking advantage of natural defense chemicals released by plants called phytoalexins, which fungi then detoxify using enzymes. The paldoxins inhibit the fungi's detoxification enzymes. They are believed to be safer and greener.
The use of pesticides connect to the unit of chemistry because pesticides are chemically manufactured p...

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...to reverse the effects of these pesticides, but there are ways to help! Instead of using harmful chemicals, there are many alternative methods of pest control that are very effective, and even more cost efficient than most store bought pesticides. It is very important to be aware of where your produce is coming from, and opting for the naturally grown organic fruits and vegetables instead of the cheaper, processed goods.

Works Cited

http://agrochemicals.iupac.org/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=3&sobi2Id=31 http://npic.orst.edu/envir/air.html http://longbeach.wsu.edu/cranberries/documents/howlongdoinsecticideresiduespersist.pdf http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/n2o.html http://www.footprint.wwf.org.uk/topics/show/243 http://ourfutureplanet.org/component/youtopia/Max123/issues/36 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pesticide

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