At one time the uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol was used as a weight reducing drug.Its side-effects,including death,resulted in its discontinued use.How could this drug cause weight loss?
A)The uncoupler allows the oxidation of fats from adipose tissue without the production of ATP.This allows the oxidation to proceed continuously and use up the fats.
B)The uncoupler causes ATP to be produced at a much higher rate than normal and this causes weight loss.
C)The uncoupler inhibits the transport of pyruvate into the matrix of the mitochondria.Fats are then degraded to glycerol and subsequently to pyruvate to provide the necessary energy,thereby depleting fat stores.
D)The uncoupler is an allosteric activator of ATP synthase.This increases the rate of translocation of H+ and the oxidation of fuels,including fats.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol allows the oxidation of fats from adipose tissue without the production of ATP. Normally, in cellular respiration, the oxidation of fats produces ATP, which provides energy for the cell. However, the uncoupler decouples this process, allowing the oxidation to proceed continuously without producing ATP. This uses up the fats and results in weight loss. The side effects of the drug, including death, are due to the fact that it uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, which is essential for normal cellular function.

At One Time the Uncoupler 2,4-Dinitrophenol Was Used as a Weight