202k views
1 vote
Is the activation energy (Ea) for ATP hydrolysis relatively low or high?
a) Low
b) High

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The activation energy for ATP hydrolysis is relatively low because it's a common biological process that releases energy efficiently, essential for cellular functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The activation energy (Ea) for ATP hydrolysis is considered to be relatively low. Activation energy is the energy barrier that must be overcome for reactants to be transformed into products. In the case of ATP hydrolysis, while considerable energy is released in this exergonic reaction, the actual energy required to start the reaction is not high. This is because ATP hydrolysis is a common biological process that facilitates cellular functions by providing energy efficiently, thus a high activation energy would be counterproductive for cell metabolism.

User Vikram Rao
by
9.0k points