Endocrine Disruptors Are Environmental Chemicals,which,if People and Other Animals Are

question 71

Essay

Endocrine disruptors are environmental chemicals,which,if people and other animals are exposed,can have hormone-mimicking or hormone-blocking effects.These chemicals are used in industries and in homes and are associated with such commonly used products as pesticides and herbicides,plastic food containers and baby bottles.Those that mimic or block sex steroids are of special concern,because they are present in household plastics and are fat-soluble,thus easily stored in fatty tissue of the body and can affect a developing fetus.Research is ongoing and results are controversial,but these chemicals have been associated with:
A.delayed sexual maturity in fish;
B.poor masculinization of genitals in male alligators with decreased ability to produce offspring;
C.feminized behavior in male rats,and in humans;
D.decreased lactation;
E.diminished male genitals and semen quality; and
F.early puberty.
For each condition A.-F.,specify which hormones may have been blocked and which mimicked (endocrine regulation in fish,alligators,and rats is nearly identical to that in humans).

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Definitions:

Distinctive Environment

A unique setting or situation that can influence behavior or responses due to its specific characteristics.

Avoid Shock

A behavioral response or strategy aimed at preventing an unpleasant or painful stimulus.

Noise Level

The average volume of background noise in a given environment, often measured in decibels (dB).

Memory Attributes

Salient aspects of an event whose presence can lead to the retrieval of the past event.