Question

If ADP were to be hydrolyzed in a similar manner to ATP, would you expect the reaction to be endergonic and exergonic? (True/False)

Answer 1

The hydrolysis of ADP, like that of ATP, would be expected to be an exergonic reaction because it would release energy. Cells use energy coupling to harness the energy from exergonic reactions (such as ATP hydrolysis) to power endergonic processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When ADP is hydrolyzed in a manner akin to ATP, the expectation is for the reaction to be exergonic, releasing energy. ATP hydrolysis is a spontaneous reaction that releases energy, meaning it is exergonic. This is because the products (ADP and phosphate) have less free energy than the reactants (ATP and water), which is why the reaction is capable of releasing about 7.3 kcal/mol under standard conditions and about 14 kcal/mol in the cell. Cells harness this energy released through a process called energy coupling, wherein an exergonic reaction, like the hydrolysis of ATP, provides the energy necessary to drive an endergonic reaction, which requires an input of energy to proceed.