Which one of the following statements best explains the effect of rotenone in causing death in insects and fish?
- The rate of glycolysis would increase - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 9 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 9
Which one of the following statements best explains the effect of rotenone in causing death in insects and fish?
- The rate of glycolysis would increase.
- ATP woul... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which one of the following statements best explains the effect of rotenone in causing death in insects and fish?
- The rate of glycolysis would increase - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 9 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 1
Aerobic respiration in the mitochondria would be disrupted.
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Answer
Rotenone is a known inhibitor of the electron transport chain in mitochondria. It specifically targets complex I, which is crucial for the transfer of electrons from NADH to coenzyme Q. When rotenone blocks this pathway, it disrupts aerobic respiration, leading to decreased ATP production. As a result, organisms relying on aerobic respiration, such as insects and fish, suffer from energy depletion, ultimately leading to death.