Biology has many topics which unfold the truths of nature in an interesting way. Protein denaturation is one such topic which shows how denaturation of protein is found in common household activities like cooking.
What are proteins?
Proteins are found in all living beings. They are large molecules which are composed of folded amino acid chains. Every protein has its unique shape and functions as based on its shape. Proteins are like keys that fit into certain shaped locks around the body of living organisms. Proteins are required for speeding up biological processes, recognizing antibodies, providing substances, regulating physiological processes and genes, transporting substances and responding to signals inside and outside of the organism.
Denaturation of proteins
Denaturation is the process by which proteins lose their structure and stop to function. The four levels of protein structure are primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
The primary structure of a protein is the sequence of amino acids that form the proteins. Every protein has a unique sequence for the amino acids. If the amino acids are not in order, proteins will not function properly.
The secondary structure of a protein describes regular repeated patterns of initial folding that are found in the protein. There are two types of folding at this level- alpha helices and beta sheets. An alpha helix is a spiral coil shape that is formed by hydrogen bonds. Beta sheets are formed when two amino acid chains align and form a flat or wrinkled area pattern.
The tertiary structure of a protein describes the shape of the protein when all the amino acids, alpha helices and beta sheets are folded into a specific structure.
The quaternary structure describes a protein which is composed of two folded amino acid chain subunits that come together to form one final protein.
What is denaturation of proteins?
Take the example of an egg. Eggs turn hard when you boil them. It is because the protein molecules start to unfold when the white egg is heated up. This process is called denaturation.
Denaturation involves changes in the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of a protein. It happens because of the disruption of the weak noncovelant bonds that stabilize those higher orders of protein structure. Denaturation decreases the diffusion coefficient and crystallization of proteins. It alters the surface tension, extinction coefficient and absorption spectrum.
Stability of a protein is determined by measuring the difference between free energy of the folded and unfolded state under equilibrium condition. Most proteins have irreversible denaturation on exposure to high temperatures. Cooking food denatures proteins and makes digestion more efficient.
The three types of denaturation
- Temperature denaturation
- pH denaturation
- Denaturation by organic solvents
Causes for denaturation of proteins
Extremes of pH, chaotropic agents and heating are the causes of denaturation. The extent of denaturation depends upon protein type, moisture content, concentration, ionic concentration and composition.
Incorporation of air bubbles and adsorption of protein molecules to the air- liquid interface also cause denaturation of proteins. The extent of change in conformation of proteins is based on the flexibility of the proteins. Highly flexible proteins denature more readily than the rigid ones do at an air- liquid interface.
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