8.3 Endocrine Disruptors

• Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the body's endocrine system
• Endocrine disruptors can mimic hormones by binding to their receptors.
• What is a common source of BPA?

  Food can linings
• BPA mimics estrogen by binding to its receptors
• Match the endocrine disruptor with its source:

  BPA ↔️ Plastic containers

  Phthalates ↔️ Cosmetics

  DDT ↔️ Pesticides

  PCBs ↔️ Industrial chemicals
• PCBs affect thyroid hormone metabolism.
• How are humans exposed to BPA?

  Ingestion through food
• Phthalates are absorbed through the skin, ingestion, or inhalation
• Steps by which endocrine disruptors interfere with hormone function:

  1️⃣ Mimic hormones by binding to receptors

  2️⃣ Block hormones from binding to receptors

  3️⃣ Alter hormone production, transport, or metabolism
• What type of damage can PCBs cause?

  Neurological and immune
• Which endocrine disruptor is known for mimicking estrogen and binds to its receptors?

  BPA
• PCBs primarily affect thyroid hormone metabolism.
• Disrupting the endocrine system can lead to various health effects
• Match the endocrine disruptor with its source or pathway of exposure:

  BPA ↔️ Plastic food containers

  Phthalates ↔️ Cosmetics and detergents

  DDT ↔️ Contaminated food

  PCBs ↔️ Industrial waste
• What is the primary source of BPA exposure?

  Plastic food containers
• PCBs can enter the body through inhalation or ingestion of contaminated food
• Match the health effect with the endocrine system it affects:

  Infertility ↔️ Reproductive system

  Altered brain development ↔️ Developing fetus

  Immune system suppression ↔️ Immune system

  Obesity ↔️ Metabolic system
• What health effect is associated with altered brain development in fetuses?

  Developmental disorders
• Endocrine disruptors interfere with hormone production and receptor function
• Endocrine disruptors in wildlife only affect reproduction.

  False
• Match the species with the common effects of endocrine disruptors:

  Fish ↔️ Feminization

  Birds ↔️ Thin eggshells

  Mammals ↔️ Reproductive disruptions
• What is a common effect of endocrine disruptors on fish?

  Feminization
• Persistent exposure to endocrine disruptors via contaminated food and water contributes to reproductive abnormalities
• Endocrine disruptors can only mimic hormone action.

  False
• Which endocrine disruptor is commonly found in cosmetics and detergents?

  Phthalates
• DDT is a pesticide that is now largely banned
• Endocrine disruptors can interfere with hormone production, transport, or breakdown.
• Which mechanism of action involves endocrine disruptors binding to hormone receptors and triggering the same biological responses?

  Mimicking hormones
• Match the mechanism of action with its effect:

  Mimicking hormones ↔️ Triggers same biological responses

  Blocking hormones ↔️ Inhibits normal responses

  Altering hormone production ↔️ Changes hormone levels
• Which endocrine disruptor is an example of one that mimics hormones?

  BPA
• Endocrine disruptors enter the body through various sources and pathways of exposure
• What is a primary pathway of exposure to DDT?

  Consumption of contaminated food
• Endocrine disruptors in food and water can lead to reproductive abnormalities.
• What are the two main categories through which endocrine disruptors enter the body?

  Sources and pathways
• BPA is commonly found in plastic food containers and canned food linings
• BPA exposure can occur through ingestion of contaminated food and beverages.
• What are three common sources of phthalates?

  Cosmetics, plastics, detergents
• DDT is a pesticide that, while largely banned, remains persistent in the environment
• Match the endocrine disruptor with its primary source or pathway of exposure:

  BPA ↔️ Plastic food containers

  Phthalates ↔️ Cosmetics

  DDT ↔️ Pesticides

  PCBs ↔️ Industrial waste
• What are three potential impacts of endocrine disruptors on reproductive health?

  Infertility, reduced sperm count, precocious puberty