A Gardener Is Concerned About Some of the Insect Pests

question 38

Multiple Choice

A gardener is concerned about some of the insect pests in his yard, including Japanese beetles that are destroying his flowering plants. He uses a pesticide that contains diphenol phosphates. This toxin makes holes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This toxin kills all insects, not just the pest species, and can also be toxic to vertebrates. A hole in the inner mitochondrial membrane means that there is a(n) __________ in the concentration gradient of H⁺ ions.

• A) increase
• B) decrease