Denaturation

The structure of the natural proteins is accountable for their biological activity. These structures are arranged by numerous attractive forces among different parts of the polypeptide chains. The breaking of these forces through a physical or a chemical change creates the proteins to misplace all or part of their biological activity. This is termed as denaturation of proteins. The denaturing of proteins can be complete by adding chemicals like bases, acids, organic solvents, heavy metal ions, or urea. It can as well be done along with the help of heat and ultraviolet light. Denaturation might be reversible or irreversible. In irreversible denaturation, the denaturated protein does not go back to its original shape. For instance, the heating of white of an egg (water soluble) provides a hard and rubbery insoluble mass.