# Explain how the use of pesticides in farming can have harmful effects on organisms that are not the target pest.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 3.6 Human impact on the environment · Explain · 5 marks

> Farmers use chemical pesticides to kill insects and other organisms that damage their crops. However, conservation groups have raised concerns about the wider effects of pesticides on ecosystems.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Pesticides can remain in/on the environment (soil, water, plants) after application
2. Non-target organisms (e.g. bees / birds / other insects) consume/absorb the pesticide
3. Pesticides accumulate/build up in the tissues of organisms (bioaccumulation)
4. Concentration of pesticide increases at higher trophic levels / in predators (biomagnification)
5. High concentrations of pesticide harm or kill non-target organisms, disrupting food chains/webs

## Key terms

- [pesticides](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pesticides)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-the-use-of-pesticides-4640ddad) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.