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Showing results for denaturation. Search instead for renaturation.

denaturation

American  
[dee-nay-chuh-ray-shuhn] / diˌneɪ tʃəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of rendering an alcohol unfit for drinking by adding an unwholesome substance that does not alter its usefulness for other purposes.

    New legislation made the denaturation of industrial alcohol compulsory.

  2. Biochemistry. the act or process of altering the original state of a protein or the like through chemical or physical means.

    Acid and heat both cause a denaturation of protein, breaking bonds in the protein’s secondary and tertiary structure.

  3. the act or process of depriving something of its natural character or properties.

    Totalitarianism emerges from the denaturation of religion and politics.


Etymology

Origin of denaturation

denatur(e) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Changes in temperature, pH, and exposure to chemicals may lead to permanent changes in the shape of the protein, leading to loss of function, known as denaturation.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Protein shape and function are intricately linked; any change in shape caused by changes in temperature or pH may lead to protein denaturation and a loss in function.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Sometimes denaturation is irreversible, leading to loss of function.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

An everyday example of protein denaturation is the curdling of milk when acidic lemon juice is added.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Formalin caused slight denaturation of some of the proteins, but this effect was complete within a few hours, after which any denatured material was removed by filtration or centrifugation.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by William B. Stallcup

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