Which process describes the unfolding of a protein's structure?

The unfolding of a protein's structure is best described by the term denaturation. This process involves the disruption of the protein's secondary, tertiary, or quaternary structures without breaking the peptide bonds that hold the amino acids together in the primary structure. Factors such as changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to certain chemicals can lead to denaturation by altering the interactions that stabilize the protein's shape.

When a protein denatures, it often loses its functional properties because the specific three-dimensional arrangement of its amino acids is crucial for its biological activity. For instance, enzymes may become inactive if they lose their structure due to denaturation.

In contrast, polymerization refers to the process of linking together monomers to form a larger polymer; hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water; and condensation is the process of joining two molecules with the release of water. None of these processes directly involve the unfolding or structural change of a protein in the same manner as denaturation.