GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY AND

TOXICOLOGY (AGSC 55)

Evelyn O. Singson, PhD

First Semester, 2020-2021
Module 1 Lesson 1

Concepts of Physiology
and Toxicology
In this module , we will
discuss the following:
Definitions and Concepts of
Insect Physiology and Toxicology
Patterns of Insecticide Use
Introduction to Toxicology
Physiology
 branch of biology that concerns
with the functions of living
organisms or their parts

 the study of how pests (insects)

live and reproduce
Physiology

• the sum total of processes tending

to the maintenance and replication
of a metabolic system
(Bursell, 1970)
Toxicology
• the science dealing with the
effects, antidotes, detection,
etc. of poisons (Matsumura,
1985)
Origin
from the Greek words “toxicos”
(poisonous) and “logos” (study)
Concept of Insect Physiology

• Insects and other pests (weeds,

pathogens, nematodes, rodents,
etc) like any other forms of life, can
be regarded as self- replicating
metabolic systems
• posses the catalysts and cofactors to
promote a particular pattern of energy
and material transformation to sustain a
particular type of metabolism
• such a pattern involves the breakdown of
complex organic molecules and the
synthesis, from simpler molecules of
components of the metabolic system
itself
Requirements for such system to
continue to exist:
 Continual
supply of molecules as source
of raw materials for synthetic purposes
 Oxygen supply to meet the needs of
oxidative degradations;
 Catalytic
machinery requiring the
removal of toxic end products and
regulation of water content and ionic
composition
• These requirements are met thru the
processes of nutrition, digestion,
respiratory exchange, excretion and
osmoregulation, studied largely at the
level of organ systems such as the
alimentary canal, tracheal and
excretory systems.
 Fulfillment of the above metabolic
requirements involve the study of the
behavior of the organism in relation to its
environment as mediated by the
muscular system.
 Insects are considered metabolic
systems, they are numerous, thus
show amazing diversity of adaptation to
widely different modes of life
Insects possess characters
characters that affect
their physiology
 Terrestrialness
 Smallness compared to other
organisms
 Capacity for flight
 Possession of exoskeleton
 Insecticide Use Pattern-Subsistence

 The crop is non-irrigated, and is at

subsistence agriculture.
 The crop is consumed in the village or
bartered in the market.
 Yields are low without organized crop
protection program.
 Use natural control, inherent plant
resistance cultural practices, rare insecticide
use
Insecticide Use Pattern-
Exploitation
 Crop protection programs are developed
to protect increased new areas, new
varieties and new markets.
 Growers observed spectacular kills of
insects with synthetic insecticides.
 Pest control programs depend solely on
chemical pesticides
Insecticide Use Pattern-
Exploitation
 Program of scheduled, intensive
treatments are prophylactic which gave
successful results with good/high yields.
 Chemical pesticides are exploited to the
maximum.
Insecticide Use Pattern-
Crisis
 More frequent application of pesticides and
higher dosages are required to obtain effective
control of pests.
 Pest population often resurge after treatment
and gradually becomes tolerant to the pesticide.
 Insects that never cause damage (occasional
feeders) become serious pests.
 Pesticide resistance, pest resurgence &
secondary pests increased production costs.
Insecticide Use Pattern –
Disaster

 Due to increased production cost, the crop is no

longer grown & marketed profitably
 Pesticide residues in the soil maybe in levels that
other crops cannot be successfully grown to meet
legal tolerance residues.
 Repeated applications of insecticides and mixtures
no longer produce a crop that is acceptable to
processors or fresh market.
 There is collapse of the existing pest control program
Insecticide Use Pattern-
Integrated Pest Management

Insecticide Use Pattern-Integrated Pest Management

 Pest control programs are implemented

that accept and utilize ecological factors
and compatibility in control measures.
 Optimizes control rather than maximizes it,
hence, termed, integrated pest
management.
C. Generalpatterns of
insecticide use

- In the Philippines, insecticides is

primarily used in rice & vegetables
- In other tropical countries, farmers rely
more on insecticides due to diversity
 Pest control programs are implemented
that accept and utilize ecological factors
and compatibility in control measures.
 Optimizes control rather than maximizes
it, hence, termed, integrated pest
management.
 e.g. small grain crops
(Utah, USA)
Pesticide % of % of Total Total % of
treatments treated acreage total
acreage amounts

Herbicides 78.2 80.1 59.8 71.5

Insecticides 17.4 18.1 13.5 28.2

Combined
use of
fungicides,
vertebrate 4.4 0.9 0.7 0.3
poisons &
repellents