Environmental-friendliness, issues of public health, and the pros and cons of genetically-modified crops all receive regular coverage in the world's media. This, in turn, has led to increased questioning and investigation of chemical pesticides. Stenersen's concise and timely introduction to chemical pesticides describes these compounds according to their mode of action at the cellular and biochemical level.
Chemical Pesticides provides answers to questions such as why pesticides are toxic to the target organism and why pesticides are toxic to some organisms and not others. It describes how various poisons interfere with biochemical processes in organisms. The book also explores how resistance to pesticides develops, how resistance can be used to illustrate the theory of evolution, and how it can be used to produce herbicide-resistant crop plants. Legal matters and potential environmental problems are also discussed.
By providing an integrated, yet simple description of modern chemical pesticides, the author provides a relevant text for professionals and students in biological disciplines such as biochemistry, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary science.
Providing a description of modern chemical pesticides, this work describes these compounds according to their mode of action at the cellular and biochemical level. It explores how resistance to pesticides develops, how resistance can be used to illustrate the theory of evolution, and how it can be used to produce herbicide-resistant crop plants.
Introduction. Pesticides That Interfere With the Action of Signal Molecules at Various Levels. Pesticides that Inhibit Enzymes. Free Radical Generators. Uncouplers Pesticides With Other, or Unknown Mode of Actions. The Disappearance of Pesticides. Mechanisms of Selectivity. Resistance to Pesticides. Pesticides as Environmental Hazards. New Possibilities.
Issues of environmentally-friendliness, public health, genetic modification of crops etc. are all high-profile talking points. This book is a short and concise introduction to chemical pesticides that can be used across disciplines.
