Dinitrophenol (DNP) is a proton ionophore that allows protons to pass freely across the inner mitochondrial membrane, leading to death preceded by severe overheating. Cyanide binds to the cytochrome oxidase complex, preventing the flow of electrons beyond that point of the electron transport chain. If you had a really bad day, and accidently ingested both DNP and cyanide at the same time, you would probably die, but would you expect to overheat before you did? Explain why?
Answer of this question is hidden in the pattern of of working these two chemicals. Person will not feel overheat, if he takes both DNP and Cyanide together, because due to action of DNP ATP production will not occur and energy is wasted in th form of heat.
But Cyanide acts on electron transfer chain, which is the main source of energy production. cyanide will block the enrgy production, hence, there will be nothing to wasted as heat due to the action of DNP.
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