Brown fat cells produce a protein called thermogenin in their mitochondrial inner membrane.Thermogenin is an ion channel that facilitates diffusion of protons across the membrane.What will occur in the brown fat cells when thermogenin is present in their inner mitochondrial membranes?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Thermogenin facilitates the diffusion of protons across the mitochondrial membrane, which generates a proton gradient that can be used to drive ATP synthesis. However, when thermogenin is present in brown fat cells, it causes a "short circuit" in the proton gradient, which reduces the efficiency of ATP synthesis. Instead, the energy from the proton gradient is released as heat, which increases heat generation in the brown fat cells. Therefore, the presence of thermogenin in brown fat cells will result in decreased ATP synthesis and increased heat generation.

Brown Fat Cells Produce a Protein Called Thermogenin in Their