denaturation
Americannoun
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
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.
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
Severe changes in pH will lead to denaturation of the enzyme.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
An everyday example of protein denaturation is the curdling of milk when acidic lemon juice is added.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
Sometimes denaturation is irreversible, leading to a loss of function.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
Formolization of the antigens was necessary as a means of preventing denaturation of the proteins by enzymatic activity.
From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by William B. Stallcup
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
