Final answer:
Denaturation is the process in which a protein loses its secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures while maintaining its primary structure almost intact. Denaturation occurs when a protein is subject to changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Denaturation is the process in which a protein loses its secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures while maintaining its primary structure almost intact. Denaturation occurs when a protein is subject to changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals. The primary structure of the protein is not changed by denaturation, but the folding is lost, leading to a loss of function. One example of denaturation is when an egg is fried or boiled, and the albumin protein in the egg white is denatured, changing from a clear substance to an opaque white substance.