Final answer:
The stability of the substrate in reaction a is indeed less than the stability of the product, as indicated by the smaller standard free energy for the products. This means the reaction is spontaneous, making the answer 'True'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks if in reaction a, the stability of the substrate is less than the stability of the product. Based on the provided information, for a reaction where the standard free energy of the products (2) is smaller than that of the reactants (1), it implies that the reaction will take place spontaneously. This suggests that the product is more stable than the reactants. Therefore, the answer to the question is True, the stability of the substrate is less than the stability of the product in reaction a.
It's important to note that the stability of a molecule is often inversely related to its reactivity. The more stable a molecule is, the less likely it is to undergo a chemical reaction. In the context of enzymatic reactions, the enzyme-substrate complex formed is typically less stable than the final products, allowing the reaction to proceed.