Colorado Turf Pesticide Exam –
Pesticides Questions and Answers
(Graded A)
Abiotic - ANSWER-Not relating to living organisms
Absorption - ANSWER-(1) The uptake of a pesticide by plants, animals, or
microorganisms. (2) The entrance of a pesticide into a body through the skin
Accumulate - ANSWER-The build up of pesticides in either plants, animals, or the
environment
Action threshold - ANSWER-The population density of a pest at which control measures
should begin so as to prevent an increasing pest population from reaching a level that
causes an intolerable adverse effect on the health, aesthetics, or planned use of turf.
Active ingredient (a.i.) - ANSWER-The chemical of chemicals in a product responsible
for the desired effects, which are capable of preventing, destroying, repelling or
mitigating insects, fungi, rodents, weeds, or other pests.
Acute exposure - ANSWER-Illness or injury that may appear immediately after
exposure to a pesticide (usually within 24 hours)
Acute toxicity - ANSWER-A measure of the capacity of a pesticide to cause injury as a
result of a single exposure
Adjuvant - ANSWER-Any chemical added to a pesticide formulation or mixture to
increase its effectiveness or safety
Adsorption - ANSWER-The binding of a pesticide to surfaces of soil particles or organic
matter in such a way that the pesticide is only slowly available
Advance notification - ANSWER-Notifying individuals in advance of a pesticide
application so that they can take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of pesticide
exposure
Aesthetic action threshold - ANSWER-The amount of injury to the quality of turf which
will justify the cost of applied control measures
Agitation - ANSWER-The process of stirring or mixing a pesticide mixture in a sprayer
tank
,Allergy - ANSWER-The immune systems overreacting to allergens that cause allergy
symptoms. The immune system contains millions of cells whose function is to identify
and eliminate foreign substances (such as viruses and bacteria). In some individuals,
pesticides are allergens.
Annual - ANSWER-Plants that live less than 12 months
Antidote - ANSWER-A substance used to counteract the effects of pesticide poisoning.
Application rate - ANSWER-The amount of pesticide product applied to a given area
Arachnid - ANSWER-A small, invertebrate animal with two body regions, usually 8
jointed legs, an no wings
Arthopod - ANSWER-An invertebrate with a segmented body, an exoskeleton that is
periodically shed, and jointed appendages. (Insects, mites, and spiders
Bacteria - ANSWER-Single-celled microorganisms which usually lack chlorophyll and
reproduce by fission (Splitting of the cell into 2 equal halves)
Beneficial Insects - ANSWER-Those insects which are useful or helpful to people (e.g.
predators and parasites of pests)
Biennial - ANSWER-Plant that lives for 2 growing seasons
Biological Control - ANSWER-The purposeful manipulation of natural enemies to reduce
pest populations
Biotic - ANSWER-Relating to living organisms
Blight - ANSWER-A general term that may include spotting, discoloration, sudden
wilting, or death of leaves, stems, or the entire plant
Botanical pesticide - ANSWER-A pesticide which is delivered or extracted directly from
plants
Brand name - ANSWER-The name, number, trade mark, or designation of a pesticide
or device made by the manufacturer, distributor, importer, or vendor. Each pesticide
differing in the ingredient statement, analysis, manufacturer, or distributor name,
number, or separate brand
Broadcast application - ANSWER-the uniform application of a pesticide to an entire area
Broad-spectrum pesticide - ANSWER-A pesticide that is effective against a wide range
of species
, Bud and flowering - ANSWER-Plant stage of growth where most of the energy toes into
the production of seed; usually plants are more difficult to control at this stage
Buffers - ANSWER-A type of adjuvant used in spray tanks to decrease break down of
pesticides that occur from exposure to alkaline water conditions
Calibration - ANSWER-Measurement of the delivery rate of application equipment
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - ANSWER-An emergency measure that can
maintain a persons breathing and heartbeat
Carrier - ANSWER-(1) A liquid or solid material added to a pesticide active ingredient or
formulated product to facilitate its field application. (2) the material used to carry the
pesticide to the site (e.g., water)
Cell - ANSWER-The basic structure of all living organisms. Single cell or many cells
working together.
Cephalothorax - ANSWER-The fused head and throat of arachnids
Certified operator - ANSWER-A licensed individual who mixes, loads, or applies any
pesticide, including restricted use pesticides, under the supervision of a qualified
supervisor. This designation is from the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act
Chemical Resistant - ANSWER-Said of a material or item that allows no measurable
movement of the pesticide being used through the material item during use
CHEMTREC - ANSWER-Chemical Transportation Emergency Center. An emergency
response system for dealing with accidental releases of hazardous compounds
Chlorophyll - ANSWER-The green photosynthetic substance in plants which allows
them to capture solar energy
Cholinesterase - ANSWER-A body enzyme necessary for proper nerve function
Chronic exposure - ANSWER-Exposure to small, repeated doses of a pesticide over a
period of time
Chronic toxicity - ANSWER-Illness or injury that appears a long time, usually several
years, after repeated exposure ton a pesticide (e.g., tumors, cancer, and mutations)
Commercial applicator - ANSWER-Any person or company who engages in the
business of applying pesticides or operating a device for hire. Defined by the Colorado
Applicators Act
Pesticides Questions and Answers
(Graded A)
Abiotic - ANSWER-Not relating to living organisms
Absorption - ANSWER-(1) The uptake of a pesticide by plants, animals, or
microorganisms. (2) The entrance of a pesticide into a body through the skin
Accumulate - ANSWER-The build up of pesticides in either plants, animals, or the
environment
Action threshold - ANSWER-The population density of a pest at which control measures
should begin so as to prevent an increasing pest population from reaching a level that
causes an intolerable adverse effect on the health, aesthetics, or planned use of turf.
Active ingredient (a.i.) - ANSWER-The chemical of chemicals in a product responsible
for the desired effects, which are capable of preventing, destroying, repelling or
mitigating insects, fungi, rodents, weeds, or other pests.
Acute exposure - ANSWER-Illness or injury that may appear immediately after
exposure to a pesticide (usually within 24 hours)
Acute toxicity - ANSWER-A measure of the capacity of a pesticide to cause injury as a
result of a single exposure
Adjuvant - ANSWER-Any chemical added to a pesticide formulation or mixture to
increase its effectiveness or safety
Adsorption - ANSWER-The binding of a pesticide to surfaces of soil particles or organic
matter in such a way that the pesticide is only slowly available
Advance notification - ANSWER-Notifying individuals in advance of a pesticide
application so that they can take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of pesticide
exposure
Aesthetic action threshold - ANSWER-The amount of injury to the quality of turf which
will justify the cost of applied control measures
Agitation - ANSWER-The process of stirring or mixing a pesticide mixture in a sprayer
tank
,Allergy - ANSWER-The immune systems overreacting to allergens that cause allergy
symptoms. The immune system contains millions of cells whose function is to identify
and eliminate foreign substances (such as viruses and bacteria). In some individuals,
pesticides are allergens.
Annual - ANSWER-Plants that live less than 12 months
Antidote - ANSWER-A substance used to counteract the effects of pesticide poisoning.
Application rate - ANSWER-The amount of pesticide product applied to a given area
Arachnid - ANSWER-A small, invertebrate animal with two body regions, usually 8
jointed legs, an no wings
Arthopod - ANSWER-An invertebrate with a segmented body, an exoskeleton that is
periodically shed, and jointed appendages. (Insects, mites, and spiders
Bacteria - ANSWER-Single-celled microorganisms which usually lack chlorophyll and
reproduce by fission (Splitting of the cell into 2 equal halves)
Beneficial Insects - ANSWER-Those insects which are useful or helpful to people (e.g.
predators and parasites of pests)
Biennial - ANSWER-Plant that lives for 2 growing seasons
Biological Control - ANSWER-The purposeful manipulation of natural enemies to reduce
pest populations
Biotic - ANSWER-Relating to living organisms
Blight - ANSWER-A general term that may include spotting, discoloration, sudden
wilting, or death of leaves, stems, or the entire plant
Botanical pesticide - ANSWER-A pesticide which is delivered or extracted directly from
plants
Brand name - ANSWER-The name, number, trade mark, or designation of a pesticide
or device made by the manufacturer, distributor, importer, or vendor. Each pesticide
differing in the ingredient statement, analysis, manufacturer, or distributor name,
number, or separate brand
Broadcast application - ANSWER-the uniform application of a pesticide to an entire area
Broad-spectrum pesticide - ANSWER-A pesticide that is effective against a wide range
of species
, Bud and flowering - ANSWER-Plant stage of growth where most of the energy toes into
the production of seed; usually plants are more difficult to control at this stage
Buffers - ANSWER-A type of adjuvant used in spray tanks to decrease break down of
pesticides that occur from exposure to alkaline water conditions
Calibration - ANSWER-Measurement of the delivery rate of application equipment
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - ANSWER-An emergency measure that can
maintain a persons breathing and heartbeat
Carrier - ANSWER-(1) A liquid or solid material added to a pesticide active ingredient or
formulated product to facilitate its field application. (2) the material used to carry the
pesticide to the site (e.g., water)
Cell - ANSWER-The basic structure of all living organisms. Single cell or many cells
working together.
Cephalothorax - ANSWER-The fused head and throat of arachnids
Certified operator - ANSWER-A licensed individual who mixes, loads, or applies any
pesticide, including restricted use pesticides, under the supervision of a qualified
supervisor. This designation is from the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act
Chemical Resistant - ANSWER-Said of a material or item that allows no measurable
movement of the pesticide being used through the material item during use
CHEMTREC - ANSWER-Chemical Transportation Emergency Center. An emergency
response system for dealing with accidental releases of hazardous compounds
Chlorophyll - ANSWER-The green photosynthetic substance in plants which allows
them to capture solar energy
Cholinesterase - ANSWER-A body enzyme necessary for proper nerve function
Chronic exposure - ANSWER-Exposure to small, repeated doses of a pesticide over a
period of time
Chronic toxicity - ANSWER-Illness or injury that appears a long time, usually several
years, after repeated exposure ton a pesticide (e.g., tumors, cancer, and mutations)
Commercial applicator - ANSWER-Any person or company who engages in the
business of applying pesticides or operating a device for hire. Defined by the Colorado
Applicators Act
