Which of the following is a factor that contributes to the large negative standard free energy change for the reaction atp → adp + pi? a. the increase in resonance stabilization in the reactants compared to the products b. the addition of a water molecule to the hydrophilic atp molecule c. the precipitation of the insoluble pi d. the decrease in negative charge repulsion in the products compared to reactants

the decrease in negative charge repulsion in the products compared to reactants

Explanation:

ATP, Adenosine triphosphate has three phosphate groups covalently bonded to the ribose sugar. Here, each of the phosphate groups carries a negative charge. The removal of the terminal phosphoryl group of ATP occurs by the breaking a phosphoanhydride bond. The breaking of this bond is highly exergonic since it results in the formation of ADP which has only two phosphate groups attached to the ribose sugar.

Therefore, the repulsion between the negative charge of adjacently places phosphate groups is reduced and the product is more stable making the reaction of ATP hydrolysis exergonic with large negative free energy change.