The hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is represented by the equation below. This reaction is critically important in cellular biology, but the reaction itself proceeds at a very slow rate. Based on the information given, which of the following best explains why an enzyme (biological catalyst) is required for the reaction to occur at a faster rate? ATP+ H2O ADP+ Pi
ΔG= -30.5Kj/mol

a. Because ΔG < 0, the hydrolysis of ATP is not thermodynamically favorable. In cells, ΔS is increased by increasing the amount of H2O consumed, resulting in ΔG >0 and an increase in the reaction rate.
b. Because ΔG < 0, the hydrolysis of ATP is not thermodynamically favorable. In cells, enzymes act as catalysts that decrease ΔH for the reaction, resulting in ΔG >0 and an increase in the reaction rate.
c. Although the hydrolysis of ATP is thermodynamically favorable, without a catalyst the reaction occurs at a very slow rate because it has a small activation energy.
d. Although the hydrolysis of ATP is thermodynamically favorable, without a catalyst the reaction occurs at a very slow rate because it has a large activation energy.