Cool, dry conditions usually ______ the degradation of a pesticide.

Cool, dry conditions usually ______ the degradation of a pesticide.

• A. Speed up
• B. Slow down
• C. Do not affect
• D. Vary

Answer: (B)

Cool, dry conditions slow the degradation of a pesticide because most breakdown happens through microbial action and chemical reactions that need water and warmth. When it’s cooler, microbes are less active and hydrolysis—one key chemical breakdown process—occurs more slowly when there’s little moisture. Sunlight can drive some breakdown, but without warmth and moisture the overall rate remains reduced, so the pesticide persists longer.

Cool, dry conditions slow the degradation of a pesticide because most breakdown happens through microbial action and chemical reactions that need water and warmth. When it’s cooler, microbes are less active and hydrolysis—one key chemical breakdown process—occurs more slowly when there’s little moisture. Sunlight can drive some breakdown, but without warmth and moisture the overall rate remains reduced, so the pesticide persists longer.