Denaturing refers to the process of altering the natural structure of proteins or nucleic acids, often through the application of heat, chemicals, or changes in pH. This process can disrupt the molecular bonds that maintain the original shape of these biological macromolecules, leading to the loss of their functional properties. In cooking, for example, denaturation is what causes egg whites to turn from clear to opaque when heated. In a laboratory context, denaturing can be used to study the properties of biomolecules or to prepare samples for analysis.