Question

Why does hydrolysis of ATP release so much free energy?

A) The actual act of breaking the phosphoanhydride bond releases the energy that was “stored” in that bond

B) The release of free energy is only due to entropic contributions but not enthalpic contributions.

C) The formation of bonds during the hydrolysis reaction results in a net negative DeltaH.

Answer 1

• ATP contains 3 phosphate that contains potential energy .
• So when the last phosphate (gamma phosphate ) is broken down , it releases potential energy .
• This potential energy is converted to free energy which is used to drive chemical reactions.
• That is  high energy is stored in phosphoanhydride bonds .
• So , when breaking these high energy bonds , more free energy is released.
• Hence option a is correct.