Final answer:
DNP causes protons to pass directly through the mitochondrial membrane disrupting ATP production and leading to weight loss by releasing energy as heat.
Step-by-step explanation:
2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNP) causes protons to pass directly through the mitochondrial membrane, thereby diverting their flow from the ATP synthase. This process disrupts the normal production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy currency of the cell.
Since the mitochondria are no longer producing ATP efficiently, the energy that would have been captured in ATP is instead released as heat. This increase in metabolic heat can lead to weight loss, which is why DNP was historically used as a weight-loss drug. However, DNP use can be very dangerous and is not considered safe.