| uncoupling agent | <chemistry> A chemical that breaks the electron transport chain during key biological processes (for example, photosynthesis, phosphorylation). (09 Oct 1997) |
|---|---|
| uncoupling agents | Chemical agents that uncouple oxidation from phosphorylation in the metabolic cycle so that ATP synthesis does not occur. Included here are those ionophores that disrupt electron transfer by short-circuiting the proton gradient across mitochondrial membranes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| uncoupling factors | Substances such as dinitrophenol that allow oxidation in mitochondria to proceed without the usual concomitant phosphorylation to produce ATP; these poisons thus "uncouple" oxidation and phosphorylation. Synonym: uncoupling factors. (05 Mar 2000) |