Question

The compound 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) is a lipid soluble compound that has been used as a weight loss agent. It functions this way by causing the inner mitochondrial membrane to become leaky with respect to protons. Which result might be expected if cells treated with DNP were examined in detail

Answer 1

Answer:

ATP production would be slower in these cells than in untreated cells

Explanation:

Oxidative phosphorylation is the third stage of cellular respiration, which occurs in the mitochondria of animal and plant cells. Oxidative phosphorylation represents the most efficient pathway to generate energy in animal cells by the production of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a consequence of the transfer of electrons from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form) (NADH) or flavin adenine dinucleotide (reduced form) (FADH2) to molecular oxygen (O2) through a sequential series of electron carriers. The 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) poison is an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation that carries protons across the mitochondrial membrane, thereby leading to a rapid consumption of energy without the production of ATP.  This mitochondrial uncoupler (DNP) has been used as a dieting drug during the 30's decade (1930), but was rapidly banned due to its side effects, which include, among others, tachycardia, hyperthermia, tachypnea, and metabolic acidosis.