Heat can be generated in the brown adipose tissue of hibernating mammals due to ________.
A)increased ATP production by ATP synthase
B)uncoupling by thermogenin
C)a greater pH gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane by complex IV
D)insufficient NADH production during the citric acid cycle due to less active pyruvate translocase.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Heat can be generated in the brown adipose tissue of hibernating mammals due to uncoupling by thermogenin. This protein creates a leak in the inner mitochondrial membrane, allowing protons to flow back into the mitochondrial matrix without passing through ATP synthase, thus generating heat without producing ATP.

Heat Can Be Generated in the Brown Adipose Tissue of Hibernating