I was recently studying about ATP and how it functions as an energy carrier to all biological processes; however, I came across a confusing and paradoxical statement from two sources: (at 7:36) and (the free response question in the bottom of the page)
Basically, in the video, it says that ATP hydrolysis has a high activation energy which is why all of the ATP isn't randomly used by the cell processes.
And in the free response question, the answer is that ATP hydrolysis has a low activation energy and low free energy making it a spontaneous reaction.
A follow up question is: How then does the ATP of the cell used in a selective way to certain processes only?
Thanks for your help.