The valinomycin treatment caused a decrease in the activity of the mitochondria.
Step-by-step explanation:
When valinomycin treatment was given, the rate of ATP production is reduced in the cells treated. Since mitochondria are involved in ATP synthesis, it clearly shows that valinomycin inhibits mitochondrial action.
Valinomycin being a selective K+ ionophore, it can transfer potassium ions through selective lipid membranes. This can cause potassium effux in organelles like mitochondria leading to marked loss of potential of mitochondrial membrane and apoptosis in cells.
The effux of K+ ions forms a complex with valinomycin and slows down the mitochondrial part of ATP synthesis by reducing the proton-motive force, but does not block any oxygen electron transfer .