Final answer:
The part of the citrate synthase reaction that is most exergonic and drives the reaction is the thioester hydrolysis of acetyl-CoA.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the citrate synthase reaction, which is part of the citric acid cycle, the most exergonic step that provides the driving force for the reaction is the thioester hydrolysis. This involves the hydrolysis of the thioester bond of acetyl-CoA, which releases a significant amount of energy. This energy-rich thioester bond is cleaved by water, which leads to the formation of citrate and CoA-SH. This reaction is considered highly exergonic and irreversible, making it a driving force of the citric acid cycle. It also sets the stage for the production of GTP in a later step, which can be converted to ATP, providing energy for the cell.