What happens to proteins during the denaturation process?

During the denaturation process, proteins undergo a significant transformation where they unfold and change shape. This alteration occurs due to the disruption of the weak bonds that maintain the protein's three-dimensional structure, such as hydrogen bonds and disulfide bridges. Factors that can induce denaturation include heat, pH changes, and exposure to certain chemicals.

The structural change is important because it can affect the protein's functionality, such as its solubility, biological activity, and interaction with other molecules. For example, when cooking eggs, the heat causes the proteins in the egg whites to denature, resulting in the solidification that occurs as the dish cooks.

Other options do not accurately reflect what happens during denaturation. The original structure is lost rather than maintained, and while denatured proteins may become less soluble and sometimes more rigid, the primary and defining characteristic of denaturation is the unfolding and reshaping of the protein. The breakdown into amino acids occurs during a different process known as hydrolysis, which is not part of denaturation. Therefore, the selected answer accurately captures the essential change that proteins undergo during denaturation.