denaturation

(noun)

Denaturation is a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose their tertiary and secondary structure which is present in their native state, by application of some external stress or compound such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent (e.g., alcohol or chloroform), or heat.

Related Terms

  • protein
  • amino acid

Examples of denaturation in the following topics:

  • The Role of the Kidneys in Acid-Base Balance

    • Outside the range, pH becomes incompatible with life; proteins are denatured and digested, enzymes lose their ability to function, and the body is unable to sustain itself.
  • Fever

    • Fever is normally a beneficial immune process since increased body temperature can kill off bacteria and viruses and denature bacterial enzymes.
    • High fevers also denature the body's own proteins, which can alter normal cell metabolism, leading to cell injury and death.
  • Chemical Buffer Systems

    • Outside the acceptable range of pH, proteins are denatured and digested, enzymes lose their ability to function, and death may occur.
  • Microscopic Anatomy of the Stomach

    • The function of gastric acid is two fold: 1) it kills most of the bacteria in food, stimulates hunger, and activates pepsinogen into pepsin; and 2) it denatures the complex protein molecule as a precursor to protein digestion through enzyme action in the stomach and small intestines.
  • Proteins: Sources, Uses in the Body, and Dietary Requirements

    • Ingested proteins are then broken down into amino acids through digestion, which typically involves denaturation of the protein through exposure to acid and hydrolysis by enzymes called proteases.
  • Semen

    • These alkaline bases counteract the acidic environment of the vaginal canal and protect DNA inside the sperm from acidic denaturation.
  • Spleen

    • The macrophages also remove pathogens, denatured hemoglobin, and other cellular debris.
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.