5.6 Pest Control Methods and Genetic Engineering

These flashcards cover key concepts related to pest control methods, the implications of pesticide use, and the effects of genetic engineering on crops.

Pesticides

Chemicals that are toxic to pests, including:

• rodenticides (kill rodents)

• fungicides (kill fungi)

• insecticides (kill insects),

• herbicides (kill plants).

Pesticide Resistance

Pests can become resistant to pesticides due to overuse

Resistance is predictable, expected, and natural

Some pests might naturally carry genetic traits that make them resistant to pesticides.

any method used to control pests is killing most of them but also making others stronger making them get resistance (called resistant ones)

(GMOS) Genetic Modification

Addition of a gene for pest resistant traits into to the plant through genetic modification

Bt Corn

Genetically modified corn that produces its own insecticide (Bt crystals) to deter pests, resulting in reduced insecticide use.

Roundup Ready Crops

Genetically modified crops designed to be resistant, meaning roundup will kill weeds but not crops

Pesticide Treadmill

A cycle of increasing pesticide resistance where more pesticide use leads to more resistant pests, requiring even more pesticide.

Economic Advantage of GM Crops

One benefit of using genetically modified crops is increased crop yields due to pest resistance.

Economic Disadvantage of GM Crops

A potential economic downside is the increased dependence on herbicides and loss of genetic diversity in crops.

GMOS & Pesticide Use

GMO crops are all genetically identical (clones) so there is no genetic diversity in the pop.

If there is a disease or pest that does affect the GM crops, they’re all vulnerable