Thermogenesis

The classical theory of heat generation (whether in brown adipocytes by the uncoupling protein or generally by mitochondria) deems dissipation of trans-membrane potential (TMP) by 'shunted proton transport' as the causative rationale. That is, which in normal routine, TMP (or proton differential or the so-called 'proton motive force' generated due to trans-membrane pumping of protons. There are three distinct mechanisms proposed for the same, as shown below. (Left to right is progression in time, with a starting proton differential getting neutralized after step 3.)

In contrast, the murburn proposal relies on DROS-centered mechanism. Since the DROS lead to ATP synthesis, their utilization for dismutation and quenching reactions among themselves with the formation of O-H bonds near the interface leads to the liberation of heat. UCP would aid anion DROS transport at the intermembrane space, wherein they would get protonated. Thus, water formation results, liberating energy.

While the classical view has little foundations in thermodynamics (both pumping out and coming in of the same proton across the same membrane cannot be exergonic!) and chemical reaction mechanism (why should fatty acid molecule do this pillion-serving function?), the murburn model is grounded in these perspectives and also ratified by the structure of UCP and the architecture of mitochondria.