Question

what does denature mean?

Answer 1

Break apart. In the sense of biology, usually the proteins in a cell are not functioning properly.

Answer 2

To be more precise, it is when the amino acid chain (which is a protein) gets "uncurled". The protein chains are held together by a variety of different bonds. They are held in a specific shape. When the protein is heated, or physically damaged these bonds can break and the protein "uncurls". When you fry an egg you denature the protein. Also when you beat an egg for baking you denature it. If you ate a raw egg, your stomach acids would denature it, and if you could inside your belly, the raw egg would turn white.

Answer 3

In addition, denaturing is when the protein or cell reaches it's optimum limit by some factor such as temp or pH, altering the shape of it, and disrupting the proper functioning of it.