Uncouple agents, such as 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP), inhibit ATP synthesis without disrupting the electron transport chain or mitochondrial structure. These hydrophobic chemicals facilitate the dissipation of the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, leading to energy loss as heat. Research indicates that DNP uncouples electron transfer from ATP synthesis, resulting in oxygen consumption even when ADP is absent.