Question

The drug 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) destroys the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. What would be the effect of incubating isolated mitochondria in a solution of DNP

Answer 1

Answer:

This question lacks options, options are:A) Oxygen would no longer be reduced to water. B) No ATP would be made during transport of electrons down the respiratory chain. C) Mitochondria would show a burst of increased ATP synthesis. D) Glycolysis would stop. E) Mitochondria would switch from glycolysis to fermentation.The correct answer is B)

Explanation:

The main mechanism of ATP production takes place in our mitochondria, which are cellular organelles, and this occurs when molecules of coenzymes or reduced prosthetic groups, coming from the process of catabolism of nutrients, are oxidized with molecular oxygen (which becomes in water), leading to the production of ATP. DNP works by increasing heat production in cells through a process known as decoupling. Dinitrophenol is an ionphoric compound that cuts mitochondrial ATP production circuits. This cessation of ATP production through the mitochondria leads to an increase in metabolic rate (as the substrate is used at a higher rate so that cytosolic ATP can sustain life) and subsequent weight loss.