Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that can leach out of certain plastics. It disrupts the normal function of the endocrine system my mimicking estrogen. Which of the following explains how persistent small amounts of BPA in the body can have effects? half-life up-regulation down-regulation lock-and-key
Added by Lorena S.
Close
Step 1
BPA mimics estrogen, which interacts with receptors in the body. Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Madhur L and 50 other Biology educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
how do hormone disruptors affect the endocrine system?
Madhur L.
An endocrine disruptor is a molecule that either mimics or blocks the activity of a hormone. Propose a way to test the hypothesis that: a. a pesticide such as atrazine is an endocrine disruptor. b. endocrine disruptors have caused declines in human sperm counts. c. microwaving foods in plastic containers releases chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines endocrine disruptors as chemical substances that can "interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis (normal cell metabolism), reproduction, development, and/or behavior." The chemicals, sometimes called environmental estrogens, come from both natural and human-made sources. A simple hypothesis is that endocrine disruptors act by mimicking hormones in the body. Many endocrine disruptors affect sex hormone function and, therefore, reproduction. Examples of endocrine disruptors are the synthetic chemicals DDT (a pesticide), dioxins, and natural chemicals such as phytoestrogens (estrogen-like molecules in plants), which are found in high levels in soybeans, carrots, oats, onions, beer, and coffee. Design an experiment to investigate whether a new synthetic chemical (pick your own interesting scenario) is an endocrine disruptor. (Hint: You probably want to work with a model organism.)
Recommended Textbooks
Biology for AP Courses
Objective Biology for NEET
Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry
Transcript
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD