Concept explainers
Figure 7.11 Dinitrophenol (DNP) is an "uncoupler" that makes the inner mitochondrial membrane "leaky" to protons. It was used until 1938 as a weight-loss drug. What effect would you expect DNP to have on the change in pH across the inner mitochondrial membrane? Why do you think this might be an effective weight-loss drug?
To write:
The effect of DNP on the pH across the mitochondrial membrane and the reason that it is a weight-loss drug.
Introduction:
Dinitrophenol (DNP) is an uncoupler. The flow of electrons can be separated by DNP along with the pumping of the H+ ion for the purpose of production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It means that the electron transport chain can no longer form a proton gradient, and ATP synthase can no longer make ATP.
DNP is a drug given to the patient for losing weight. After using DNA as weight loss drug, a person obtains less energy out of the eaten food. One of the worst side effects of taking DNP is overheating of the body, the energy from electron transport is lost as heat.
Explanation of Solution
DNP is an uncoupler, it disrupts the ATP synthesis by leaking protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. As a result, the proton gradient cannot be formed across the inner mitochondrial membrane as pumping of H+ (hydrogen ion) is stopped. So, there will be a decrease in pH across the inner membrane of mitochondria.
Therefore, ATP production becoming less efficient. Hence, the energy which is normally produced during cellular respiration is being wasted as heat. In such condition, majority of the eaten food could not be used for the purpose of ATP synthesis and we lose weight.
DNP is an effective diet drug used to lose weight. It acts as an uncoupler which disrupts the H+ gradient across mitochondrial membrane reducing ATP synthesis. Since ATP cannot be formed, the energy from electron transport is lost as heat.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 7 Solutions
BIOLOGY 2E
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
College Physics
Campbell Biology in Focus
Concepts of Genetics (11th Edition)
Concepts of Genetics (12th Edition)
Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (7th Edition)
Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology (6th Edition)
- Lauric acid is a 12-carbon fatty acid with no double bonds. The sodium salt of lauric acid (sodium laurate) is a common detergent used in a variety of products, including laundry detergent, shampoo, and toothpaste. How many molecules of ATP and NADPH are required to synthesize lauric acid?arrow_forwardEthylene glycol (HO—CH2—CH2—OH) is frequently used as antifreeze in automobile engines. Every year children and pets are poisoned because they tasted this sweet-tasting material. Ethylene glycol is metabolized in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase. Suggest a possible medical treatment for ethylene glycol intoxication.arrow_forwardThe reaction pictured is an oxidation-reduction reaction in the citric acid cycle in which the energy-carrier molecule NADH is generated. Identify which molecule in the reaction will be oxidized and which molecule will be reduced. Place a single answer choice in each box. COO- HO-C-H H-C-H COO- Malate NAD+ NADH + H+ Oxidized malate oxaloacetate COO- H-C-H ī COO- Oxaloacetate Reduced NADH NAD+arrow_forward
- Ethylene glycol (HO−CH2−CH2−OH) is a major component of antifreeze. In the body, it is first converted to HOOC−CHO (oxoethanoic acid) and then to HOOC−COOH (oxalic acid), which is toxic. What class of enzyme catalyzes both of the reactions of ethylene glycol? The treatment for the ingestion of ethylene glycol is an intravenous solution of ethanol. How might this help prevent toxic levels of oxalic acid in the body?arrow_forwardWhich of the following compounds would you expect to liberate the least free energy when hydrolyzed? Explain. a. ATP b. ADP c. AMP d. phosphoenolpyruvate e. phosphocreatinearrow_forwardA student is trying to determine the mechanism for a reaction that uses ATP to activate a carboxylate ion, which then reacts with a thiol. If the carboxyl-ate ion attacks the g-phosphorus of ATP, the reaction products are the thioester, ADP, and phosphate. However, whether it attacks the a-phosphorus or the b-phosphorus of ATP cannot be determined from the reaction products because the thioester, AMP, and pyrophosphate would be the products in both reactions. The mechanisms can be distinguished by a labeling experiment in which the enzyme, the carboxylate ion, ATP, and radioactively labeled pyro-phosphate are incubated, and then the ATP is isolated. If the isolated ATP is radioactive, attack occurred on the a-phosphorus. If it is not radioactive, then attack occurred on the b-phosphorus. Explain these conclusions.arrow_forward
- Which one of the following statements about coenzyme Q is not true? a. coenzyme Q is lipid-soluble b. coenzyme Q can accept one or two electrons c. conenzyme Q often diffuses in the membrane from one protein complex to another in its semiquinone form d. Coenzyme Q is one of the five electron carriers used in the electron transport chainarrow_forwardWhy is the enzyme-catalyzed introduction of carbon–carbon double bonds into fatty acids called an electron transport system?arrow_forwardThe phosphorylation of glucose to glucose 1-phosphate requires 5.0 kcal/mol of energy. This unfavorable reaction can be driven by the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP. (a) Write the equation for the coupled reaction. (b) How much energy is released in the coupled reaction? glucose + HPO4---------->2– glucose 1-phosphate + H2Oarrow_forward
- The glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle can transport cytosolic NADH equivalents into the mitochondrial matrix (see Fig. 15.11c). In this shuttle, the protons and electrons are donated to FAD, which is reduced to FADH₂. These protons and electrons are subsequently donated to coenzyme Q in the electron transport chain. End of Chapter Problem 86a How much ATP is generated per mole of glucose when the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle is used? (Tolerance is +/- 2%) ATP are generated per glucose.arrow_forwardPhosphorylation is a common covalent modification of proteins in all forms of life. What energetic advantages accrue from the use of ATP as the phosphoryl donor?arrow_forwardThiamine is the vitamin precursor for a co-enzyme called thiamine pyrophosphate or TPP. A patient diagnosed with thiamine deficiency exhibited fatigue and muscle cramps. The muscle cramps have been related to the accumulation of specific metabolic acids. On the following list, circle the metabolic acids that are most likely to accumulate in a thiamine deficiency? Note: There may be more than one. Isocitrate Pyruvate Succinate α-ketoglutarate Malate Fumarate (b) Provide a brief explanation for your answer to 1 (a) herearrow_forward
- Biology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStax