Denaturation

Denaturation is a process in which proteins and nucleic acids lose their natural structure and functions due to being exposed to extreme temperatures, pH levels, or chemically active compounds. It is a significant phenomenon because denaturation is the basis of many life processes and it is widely used in biotechnology. For example, denaturation is used to pasteurize milk or to develop certain vaccines. Additionally, denatured proteins and their fragments can be used as molecular tools in research. In short, denaturation is an important physical process that has numerous applications in everyday life.