Denaturation is defined as the process where the natural structure of a protein or nucleic acid molecule is disrupted, leading to a loss in its biological properties. There are several synonyms for this term, including unfolding, dissociation, unfolding, and disruption. These words all describe the same phenomenon of losing the natural structure and function of a molecule due to external factors like heat or pH changes. Other related terms include destabilization, degradation, and inactivation. While denaturation generally has a negative connotation, some examples of proteins can be denatured intentionally to facilitate certain applications like protein purification or modification. Synonyms help to expand our vocabulary and deepen our understanding of scientific concepts and processes like denaturation.