21. Denaturation
is what happens to enzymes (or any proteins) when exposed to environmental conditions
(extremes of pH and temperatures above the optimal temperature) which break
the hydrogen bonds holding it together in a given shape. As the hydrogen bonds
break, the polypeptide chain/s unravel and the active site becomes deformed,
so that it becomes ever more difficult for substrate to bind to the active site.
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Slichter