Dinitrophenol (DNP) makes the inner mitochondrial membrane leaky to protons. Which specific step of bioenergetics is directly bypassed or inhibited by this drug?
Q1. Dinitrophenol (DNP) makes the inner mitochondrial membrane leaky to protons. Which specific step of bioenergetics is directly bypassed or inhibited by this drug?
Answer: ATP synthesis
Explanation: Uncouplers like DNP dissipate the proton gradient, preventing ATP synthesis; they increase oxygen consumption but stop phosphorylation from occurring at all.