Final answer:
Atrazine is a common herbicide that can contaminate drinking water and is considered an endocrine disruptor. Endocrine disruptors can alter hormonal regulation, which is critical for amphibian development, potentially leading to population declines and increased susceptibility to diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atrazine is a widely used herbicide that prevents the growth of broadleaf and grassy weeds in various crops. Its usage is so common that it has been frequently detected in U.S. drinking water. An endocrine disruptor is a substance that can interfere with hormonal systems, causing adverse effects on development, reproduction, neurological, and immune functions in humans and wildlife. These substances can be natural or man-made.
In amphibians, endocrine disruptors like atrazine can alter development by affecting hormonal regulations essential for growth and immune responses. This disruption has been associated with amphibian population declines, deformities, and compromised immune systems, leading to an increased vulnerability to diseases like the chytrid fungus.