Rotenone, a toxic natural product from plants, strongly inhibits NADH dehydrogenase of insect and fish mitochondria. Antimycin A, a toxic antibiotic, strongly inhibits the oxidation of ubiquinol (QH2). a) Explain why rotenone ingestion is lethal.
b) Identify where in the electron transport chain antimycin A exhibits its action, and explain why it is a poison.
c) Given that both these compounds are equally effective at blocking their respective sites in the electron transport chain, which is the more potent poison? Explain fully