Question

question 19 (5 points)
what chemicals are used primarily for two purposes: to prevent the spread of insect-borne disease and to maximize food production by killing insects that eat crops?

a) polychlorinated biphenyls
b) pesticides
c) elements
d) solvents

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Environmental Pollutants and Pest Control
Chemical substances used to manage ecosystems and control disease vectors.

Step 1: Analyze the question requirements

The question asks for a class of chemicals used for two primary purposes:

1. Preventing the spread of insect-borne diseases (such as malaria or West Nile virus by controlling mosquito populations).
2. Maximizing food production by killing insects that consume agricultural crops.

Step 2: Evaluate the given options

• a) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): These are industrial chemicals historically used in electrical equipment, heat transfer fluids, and lubricants. They are persistent organic pollutants, not chemicals designed to kill insects.
• b) pesticides: These are chemical substances designed to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests (including insects, weeds, and fungi). Insecticides (a subcategory of pesticides) are specifically used to kill insects to protect crops and control disease-carrying vectors.
• c) elements: This is a fundamental chemical term referring to pure substances consisting of only one type of atom. It is too broad and incorrect.
• d) solvents: These are substances (usually liquids) capable of dissolving other substances. While used in many chemical formulations, their primary purpose is not pest control.

Step 3: Select the correct option

Pesticides directly target pests like insects to protect public health (preventing disease transmission) and agriculture (maximizing crop yields).

Answer:

b) pesticides