Question

Rotenone is
A) An insect hormone
B) A bioherbicide
C) A natural insecticide
D) A herbicide

Answer 1

Rotenone is an odorless, colourless., crystalline isoflavone. It occurs naturally in the stem and seeds of several plants such as the jicama vine plant.

Complete answer:

Rotenone is used as a broad spectrum insecticide (that kills insects) and pesticide (that kills pests).
There is much evidence that suggests that rotenone may cause Parkinson’s disease due to both acute and prolonged exposure.
It was first isolated by the French botanist, Emmanuel Geoffroy in 1895.
Geoffroy called it nicouline.
Rotenone works by interfering with the electron transport chain that occurs in the mitochondria of insects.
Rotenone also inhibits the microtubule assembly.
Rotenone is produced from the roots and stems of the plants, especially the plants who belong to the genera Lonchocarpus and Derris.
Rotenone are calssified as moderately hazardous by World Health Organisation.
It is mildly toxic to humans and other mammals but it is extremely toxic to insects, pests and also fishes.
Therefore, it has been clear from the above discussion that Rotenone is a natural insecticide.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Note: Rotenone has been used as an organic pesticide dust for the gardens and agricultural fields. IT kills potato beetles, flea beetles, cabbage worms, raspberry beetles, etc. Rotenone is also used to treat scabies and lice on humans and parasitic mites on chickens, livestock and pet animals. It is used by indigenous people to catch fish.