Denaturation refers to any structural changes that disrupt the native conformation and functionally active state of proteins, often caused by factors like heat, extreme pH, or certain chemicals.
Related terms
Native Conformation: The specific three-dimensional shape or structure that a protein naturally adopts, allowing it to perform its biological functions.
Folding: The process through which a protein chain assumes its functional three-dimensional conformation.
Chaperone Proteins: Specialized proteins that assist in the proper folding or refolding of other proteins, preventing misfolding or aggregation.