Denaturation
Denaturation
Denaturation (/diːˌnætʃəˈreɪʃən/) is a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose the quaternary structure, tertiary structure, and secondary structure which is present in their native state, by application of some external stress or compound such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent (e.g., alcohol or chloroform), radiation or heat.
Etymology
The term "denaturation" originates from the Latin word "denaturare" which means "to change the nature of".
Related Terms
- Protein: A complex molecule composed of amino acids that perform a vast array of functions within organisms.
- Nucleic Acid: A complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA, whose molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain.
- Quaternary Structure: The arrangement of multiple folded protein or coiling protein molecules in a multi-subunit complex.
- Tertiary Structure: The overall three-dimensional structure resulting from folding and covalent cross-linking of a protein or nucleic acid molecule.
- Secondary Structure: The general three-dimensional form of local segments of biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA). It does not include the structures of large-scale features, such as the DNA double helix.
- Acid: A molecule or other entity that can donate a proton or accept an electron pair in reactions.
- Base: Substances that, in aqueous solution, are slippery to the touch, taste astringent, change the color of indicators (e.g., turn red litmus paper blue), react with acids to form salts, promote certain chemical reactions (base catalysis), accept protons from any proton donor, and/or contain completely or partially displaceable OH− ions.
- Radiation: The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization.
- Heat: A form of energy associated with the movement of atoms and molecules in any material.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Denaturation
- Wikipedia's article - Denaturation
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski