Final answer:
The energy from ATP hydrolysis is stored in the phosphate bonds of ATP and is released when these bonds are broken, powering coupled reactions in the cell. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy released by the hydrolysis of ATP is used in various cellular processes. When ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is hydrolyzed to ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and an inorganic phosphate (Pi), energy is released.
This energy is stored in the bonds between the phosphate groups of the ATP molecule and is utilized for cellular activities such as muscle contractions, nerve impulse transmissions, and chemical synthesis.
The hydrolysis of ATP releases energy because the products, ADP and Pi, have less energy than the reactants (ATP and water). Therefore, the breaking of these bonds during hydrolysis releases energy that is then used to power coupled reactions in the cell, enabling various energy-requiring processes to occur.
Importantly, when ATP is synthesized from ADP and Pi, energy is required to form these high-energy phosphate bonds. The correct option is a.