Final answer:
The correct pair is 2,4-dinitrophenol and oligomycin because 2,4-dinitrophenol uncouples oxidative phosphorylation, increasing oxygen consumption with decreased ATP synthesis, while oligomycin inhibits ATP synthase, reducing both oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis. Option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pair of substances that increases oxygen consumption while decreasing ATP synthesis, but also individually decreases both oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis is 2,4-dinitrophenol and oligomycin (option a). 2,4-Dinitrophenol is an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, which allows protons to leak across the mitochondrial membrane, bypassing the ATP synthase (also known as FF₁ATPase).
This increases oxygen consumption because electron transport continues, but decreases ATP synthesis since the proton gradient is dissipated without producing ATP. Oligomycin, on the other hand, inhibits ATP synthase, which directly prevents the synthesis of ATP and, as a result, decreases oxygen consumption because electron transport is coupled to ATP synthesis.
ants such as antimycin A and rotenone inhibit the flow of electrons in the electron transport chain at different sites, leading to a decrease in both oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis. Similarly, agents like azide and cyanide inhibit cytochrome c oxidase, causing a decrease in both oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis.