All Flashcards
Why are endocrine disruptors a concern?
They can cause significant problems in both wildlife and humans, including reproductive and developmental issues.
What is the significance of the endocrine system?
It regulates various bodily functions through hormones, maintaining a delicate balance.
Why is it hard to study endocrine disruption?
Organisms are often exposed to multiple disruptors at once, making it hard to pinpoint the exact cause.
What is 'feminization of fish'?
A condition where male fish develop female traits due to exposure to endocrine disruptors in sewage outflow.
What is 'imposex'?
A condition in mollusks where females develop male characteristics due to endocrine disruptor exposure.
Why are small amounts of endocrine disruptors concerning?
Even small amounts of these chemicals can have significant effects on organisms.
What is biomagnification?
The process where the concentration of toxins increases in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain.
Why are plastics a common source of endocrine disruptor exposure?
Many plastics contain chemicals like BPA that can leach into food and water, acting as endocrine disruptors.
What is the role of the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development.
Why are pesticides a concern?
Pesticides can contain endocrine disruptors that affect wildlife and human health.
What are endocrine disruptors?
Chemicals that interfere with the body's endocrine system (hormones), mimicking, blocking, or disrupting normal hormone function.
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate various bodily functions.
What are glands?
Ductless organs that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
What is BPA?
Bisphenol A, an endocrine disruptor found in plastics and food containers.
What are PCBs?
Polychlorinated Biphenyls, endocrine disruptors formerly used in electrical equipment.
What are PBDEs?
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, flame retardants that act as endocrine disruptors.
What are PFAS?
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, found in firefighting foams and non-stick pans.
What are Phthalates?
Chemicals found in flexible plastics, food packaging, and cosmetics.
What is Perchlorate?
Byproduct of pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and weaponry; found in drinking water.
What are dioxins?
Byproduct of herbicide production, paper bleaching, and waste burning.
What is the effect of endocrine disruptors on bird eggs?
Egg thinning, weakening the eggshells.
What is the effect of endocrine disruptors on mollusks?
Imposex in females, where they develop male characteristics.
What is the effect of sewage outflow on fish?
Feminization of male fish, causing them to develop female traits.
What is the effect of BPA exposure?
Potential health problems due to its presence in plastics and food containers.
What is the effect of Perchlorate exposure?
Interference with the thyroid gland's uptake of iodine.
What is the effect of industrial runoff on the ecosystem?
Contamination of water sources with endocrine disruptors like perchlorate.
What is the effect of pesticide use containing endocrine disruptors?
Accumulation in the tissues of organisms and biomagnification in the food chain.
What is the effect of flame retardants in household products?
Exposure to PBDEs, which are endocrine disruptors.
What is the effect of using antimicrobial products?
Exposure to Triclosan, which is an endocrine disruptor.
What is the effect of waste burning?
Release of dioxins, which are endocrine disruptors.