Final answer:
Physical and chemical stresses, such as extreme temperatures, acidic or basic environments, and exposure to specific chemicals, can denature enzymes and proteins in animals, resulting in the loss of their functional shape and ability to perform biological roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes and other proteins in animals can be denatured by physical and chemical stresses. Physical denaturation can result from exposure to extreme temperatures, such as in hot environments or cold conditions beyond the proteins' normal operating range. Chemical denaturation can occur in acidic or basic conditions or in the presence of certain chemicals that disrupt the protein's structure.
For instance, when animals experience extreme heat, the delicate balance of interactions maintaining a protein's structure can be disrupted, leading to denaturation. Similarly, the pH of an animal's environment can affect protein structure. Proteins have optimal pH ranges, and deviation from these ranges can lead to denaturation. For example, stomach enzymes work in highly acidic conditions, adapted to function without denaturing, whereas other proteins exposed to such conditions could be denatured.