Skip to main content
to denature

to denature

1 7.4
Make a protein lose its natural shape so it stops working
  • verb
  • /dɪˈneɪtʃər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : desnaturalizar
  • Cell surface proteins necessary for the transport of materials across cell membranes are also inactivated as they are denatured.
  • denature the protein

So if you're shooting a protein through a very narrow tubing and there's high shear forces, those who will also denature proteins.

Examples

  • And now you start a process, a cyclic process, where the first step in the process is denaturing the DNA.

  • So the first step would be to melt or denature the DNA, double stranded DNA.

  • But when you denature them by adding either air or by adding the so a protein, you're able to sort of open those chains.

  • The extreme temperatures almost certainly denature the protein, as they do in overcooking any type of meat at high temperatures.

    Blog text (25)
  • So temperature is the first agent that we can use in disrupting or denaturing the proteins.

  • When the protein is denatured (cooked), it reveals the wonderful pink-red color.

    Blog text (2)
  • During electrocautery, heat is used to denature the protein of the vessel wall, thereby coagulating and sealing the vessel.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Cooking the egg will denature the proteins, making them firm and safe to eat.

  • In order to study the effects of heat, scientists often denature proteins in the lab.

  • High temperatures can denature enzymes, causing them to lose their functionality.

Synonyms

to denaturalize
vsto denature
  • Specialized
9.1

To make a person or thing seem less natural

applies specifically to changing substances often by heat or acid

Antonyms

234 3.8

Make someone feel healthy and full of energy again

How Denatured

to destroy
1.0
to denature
  • Specialized
1 7.4
to alter
493 2.5
to disturb
97 2.1

Surface Forms

denature infinitive
denatured past
denatured past participle
denaturing present participle
denatures third person singular

Morphology

denature = nature (semi-transparent) = de + nature

The connection to 'nature' is clear, but the learned prefix 'de-' and the specialized scientific use make the meaning only partly predictable for learners.

Etymology

The word denature comes from the parts de- 'remove' and nature 'natural quality', so it literally means 'remove the natural'. That's why in science to denature a protein is to change its natural shape by heat or acid so it stops working.