Question

even though all of the grasshoppers weren't killed, they all were exposed to the insecticide, so when the mice eat them, they are also ingesting pesticide. how much pesticide will each mouse take in compared to each grasshopper

Answer 1

The amount of pesticide each mouse ingests compared to each grasshopper involves the concept of bioaccumulation, where mice could accumulate higher levels of pesticide if they consume multiple grasshoppers. Pesticides impact ecosystems, reduce effectiveness over time, and can harm non-pest species and humans.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the impact of pesticides on ecosystems requires examining the relationships within food webs and recognizing how toxins can accumulate through trophic levels. When grasshoppers are exposed to insecticides and subsequently consumed by mice, the concept of bioaccumulation comes into play. This means that if the concentration of pesticide in each grasshopper is known, the mouse may accumulate a higher concentration over time if it eats multiple grasshoppers, as pesticides can persist in the predator's body. In the context of pesticide impact on the environment and human health, it's evident that non-pest species, as well as consumers and agricultural workers, may be exposed to hazardous substances, potentially causing health issues.

Pesticides can also reduce their effectiveness as pest populations adapt, and they may lead to the decline of natural pest enemies which are crucial in controlling pest populations. Moreover, these chemicals can impact landscape complexity, which is associated with the effectiveness of natural pest suppression.

Answer 2

This is a process called bio-accumulation, where the concentrations of chemicals, eg insecticides increases as you go up the food chain.

Mice are larger than grasshoppers so they require more energy to survive, the mice consume lots of grasshoppers and so get a lot of insecticide in their system, more so than grasshoppers.