MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What term describes the process when chemicals are taken up by plants or other organisms?

1. Adsorption

2. Absorption

3. Detoxification

4. Bioaccumulation

The correct answer is: Absorption

The correct answer is absorption, which refers to the process by which chemicals, including nutrients or contaminants, are taken up by plants or other organisms through their roots, leaves, or other surfaces. In plants, for example, absorption occurs primarily in the roots where water and dissolved substances enter the plant. This process is vital for the plant's growth and functioning as it enables them to utilize essential nutrients from the soil. Absorption is a key concept in understanding how pesticides and other chemicals interact with plants. Unlike adsorption, which involves the adherence of molecules to a surface without entering, absorption involves the actual incorporation of substances into the organism's tissues. The term bioaccumulation, while related, describes the accumulation of substances, like pesticides, in an organism over time, which can lead to increased concentrations within its body. Detoxification refers to the process of neutralizing or eliminating harmful substances within an organism, while adsorption specifically indicates surface attachment without uptake. Therefore, absorption distinctly represents the uptake of materials by living organisms, making it the appropriate term for this process.