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

Its main function is the denaturation of proteins.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

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

If the protein is subject to changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals, the protein structure may change, losing its shape in what is known as denaturation as discussed earlier.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

One example of protein denaturation can be seen when an egg is fried or boiled.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 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 Stallcup, William B.