Final answer:
The given statement "energy is spent making the high energy intermediate" is true as energy is expended to create high-energy intermediates like ATP, which is used as a cellular energy currency.
Step-by-step explanation:
ATP is known as a high energy intermediate because hydrolysis releases a significant amount of free energy. The synthesis of ATP requires an input of free energy to form a phosphate ester linkage with ADP, which is then used to drive various cellular processes. The activation energy (EA) for ATP hydrolysis is intermediate due to the energy released, but even energy-releasing reactions (exergonic reactions) require a small amount of energy to reach the transition state, which is higher in energy than the reactants.
The importance of ATP as a high-energy intermediate lies in its role in cellular work, including movement, transmission of neural information, and synthesis of biomolecules. Moreover, the yield of ATP in cellular respiration is affected by the fact that pathway intermediates serve other metabolic functions, intertwining with other biosynthetic pathways and the energy economy of the cell.