Final answer:
The statement is true; ATP hydrolysis releases energy used to power numerous cellular reactions, making ATP the principal energy currency within cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
True: ATP can, indeed, be hydrolyzed to release energy that powers hundreds of reactions within cells. This process is crucial for cellular function, as ATP acts as the energy currency of the cell. When ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is hydrolyzed, it converts into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and an inorganic phosphate (Pi), releasing approximately 7.4 kilocalories per mole (kcal/mol) of energy. This process can be described by the following equation:
ATP + H2O → ADP + Pi + 7.4 kcal/mol
This energy is then used to drive both endergonic and exergonic reactions necessary for various cellular processes such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and the synthesis of biomolecules.