denaturation

American  

[dee-ney-chuh-rey-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.

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Etymology

Origin of denaturation

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

denaturation

If the protein is subject to changes in temperature, changes in pH, or exposure to chemicals, the protein structure may change, losing its shape without losing its primary sequence in what is known as denaturation.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

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

Sometimes denaturation is irreversible, leading to loss of function.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Protein shape and function are intricately linked; any change in shape caused by changes in temperature, pH, or chemical exposure may lead to protein denaturation and 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