What does denatured mean in regards to enzymes?
1 Answer
Sep 20, 2016
Denaturation is a process in which enzymes lose their conformational structure due to application of external stress , excess heat or changes in pH.
Explanation:
Most enzymes are folded into a particular shape to function. H bonds ( hydrogen bonds )play an important role in protein folding. H bonds are weak bonds that are easily altered by changes in temperature and pH.
Denaturation involves the breaking of many of the weak H bonds within an enzyme, that are responsible for the highly ordered structure of the enzyme.
Most enzymes lose their activity once denatured , because substrate can no longer bind to the active site.
