Final answer:
Denaturation is the process of a protein losing its shape due to changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals. While denaturation can be reversible, leading to renaturation and resumption of protein function, it can also be irreversible, resulting in a permanent loss of function. Many factors, including temperature and the specific protein structure, determine whether denaturation is reversible or irreversible.
Step-by-step explanation:
Denaturation occurs when a protein loses its shape due to changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals. While denaturation can often be reversible if the denaturing agent is removed, sometimes it can be irreversible, leading to a loss of function. For example, frying an egg denatures the albumin protein in the egg white. Not all proteins are denatured at high temperatures; some bacteria have proteins that function at extreme temperatures. The primary structure of a protein is conserved during denaturation, allowing for the possibility of renaturation under appropriate conditions.