All organisms respire to release energy from energy-rich molecules such as glucose. Some factory workers in the early 20th century were exposed to chemical X and experienced serious side-effects. Some of the effects of exposure to chemical X are: • decreased production of ATP • increased lipid metabolism, with weight loss • increased production of pyruvate and lactate • excess heat energy release, causing an increase in body temperature, which can be fatal. Chemical X increases the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane to protons (hydrogen ions), causing some protons to leak out into the matrix.