The breakdown of a disaccharide releasing energy stored as ATP is an example of what type of reaction?

The breakdown of a disaccharide releasing energy stored as ATP is an exothermic reaction. In an exothermic reaction, energy is released into the surroundings, often in the form of heat, during the process of breaking chemical bonds and forming new ones. When a disaccharide undergoes hydrolysis or other forms of breakdown, it releases energy that can be captured as ATP, which is the energy currency of the cell.

This energy release is essential for various cellular processes and is a characteristic feature of exothermic reactions, where the products have lower energy than the reactants. Understanding this concept is crucial in biochemistry and metabolic processes, as it highlights how organisms obtain energy from complex carbohydrates.