Final answer:
Protein denaturation involves the unfolding of a protein's secondary and tertiary structures, typically due to changes in environmental conditions such as pH or temperature, which can lead to a loss of protein function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Protein denaturation occurs when a protein loses its tertiary structure and secondary structure which is held by non-covalent interactions, causing it to unfold and lose its function. Denaturing conditions such as changes in pH, high temperatures, or exposure to chemicals can lead to the disruption of a protein's stabilizing interactions, such as disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds, and ionic bonds. While the primary structure remains intact, denaturation often results in the loss of protein activity. However, denaturation can sometimes be reversed if the denaturing agent is removed, allowing the protein to refold into its original shape and resume its function. For example, frying an egg results in the denaturation of the egg white's albumin protein.