Use the Following Information When Answering the Corresponding Questions)

Multiple Choice

Use the following information when answering the corresponding questions) .
Shuichi Nakano reported in Science in February 2000 that, "The RNA enzyme ribozyme) from hepatitis delta virus catalyzes self- cleavage of a . . . [chemical] . . . bond." This reaction is inherently slow due to the formation of an unfavorable negative charge on the ribozyme. The author goes on to show that this self- cleavage is made faster by joining it with an acid- base reaction that neutralizes the negative charge. Nakano's model describes a positively charged cytosine base on the ribozyme acting as the acid, and magnesium hydroxide acting as the base. Specifically, the cytosine donates its proton H+) to neutralize the unstable negative charge that would have formed on the ribozyme.
-What can be inferred about the free- energy profile for the self- cleavage reaction from the information provided in the paragraph?

A) It must be exothermic.
B) It must be endergonic.
C) It must be exergonic.
D) It must be endothermic.