Explain how heat (temperature) can destroy a protein?

Question

It has something to do with bonds...

Answer 1

the interactions that are broken are things like hydrogen bonds, disulfide bonds and van der waals forces that give the protein its secondary and tertiary structure.

the primary structure remains the same, that is the covalent bonds holding the amino acids together aren't separating.


obviously you can probably heat it up enough to make the covalent bonds break, but i'm assuming you're not talking about incinerating the protein :P

Answer 2

one of the most important parts of the protein is it's final 3-d structure, when different parts come together to form little pockets.... the forces that hold the protein into this final shape are not covalent bonds (like how C and H attach to each other) but hydrogen bonds (like in water) and electrostatic forces (like + attracting -). these forces will be disrupted when the protein is heated, and then even if the protein is cooled again the protein will not be able to get back into its original shape.
so yes, it does have to do with the bonds, but mostly with the weak bonds.

Answer 3

At high temperatures, usually 60 C or above, proteins being to denature because the heat breaks down the strength of the bonds in the molecule. Basically, the heat gives the individual atoms too much energy to hold together, their energy overcomes the bonds that hold the molecule together, causing it to denature.

Answer 4

At 60 degree or beyond that the protein get denatured because the bonds like ionic bonds,hydrophobic bonds,hydrogen bonds are broken.but peptide bonds are not broken and hence protein losses tertiary or secondary structure and gains primary structure.
some of the protein can be renatured when they are brought back to their normal temprature.

Answer 5

BECAUSE WHEN THE BONDS RES IVE THE HEAT THE BONDS IN THE PROTEINS BREAK AT A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE