Denatured - GCSE Biology Definition

Denatured refers to the process in which a protein loses its natural shape due to factors like heat, pH changes, or chemicals. In biology, proteins need to keep their specific shapes to do their jobs properly, like speeding up reactions or transporting molecules. When a protein is denatured, its structure unravels, and it can’t perform its function any more. This is similar to how an egg changes when it's cooked - the heat makes the egg proteins denature, turning them from runny to solid. Understanding denaturation helps explain why living organisms need to maintain certain conditions to survive.