Difference Between Denaturation and Coagulation

The key difference between denaturation and coagulation is that the denaturation is the changing of the properties of a molecule while the coagulation is the action of converting the liquid state molecules into the solid or semi-solid state by sticking molecules together.

Denaturation and coagulation are two processes that occur in molecules. Both processes change the state of molecules from native state to a different state. These processes are extremely important in different occasions and also show disadvantages in different situations.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Denaturation
3. What is Coagulation
4. Similarities Between Denaturation and Coagulation
5. Side by Side Comparison – Denaturation vs Coagulation in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Denaturation?

Denaturation is the process of changing the native properties of a molecule. With respect to proteins or enzymes, protein denaturation is the process that loses the quaternary, tertiary or secondary structure of the proteins.

A denatured enzyme cannot catalyze its reaction. Moreover, when a protein is denatured, it loses its functional abilities. This is applicable for enzymes as well. Therefore, the temperature, high acids and bases, radiation, denaturing chemicals, organic solvents, etc. can cause protein denaturation.

What is Coagulation?

Coagulation is the action by which molecules convert into semi-solid or solid state from a liquid state. With respect to blood, blood coagulation is the process of converting blood into blood clots (gel-like state). Therefore, various types of factors affect the blood coagulation especially clotting factors such as fibrinogen, prothrombin, tissue factor, etc.

However, in water treatment, coagulation refers to the process of forming aggregations from small molecules due to the addition of polymers such as alum sulfate etc. Once the coagulation occurs, it is easy to separate molecules from the liquid component. It will enhance the filtration and removal of the unwanted particle from water.

What are the Similarities Between Denaturation and Coagulation?

• Denaturation and coagulation occur in molecules.
• Both these processes have advantages and disadvantages.
• Coagulation is easy when denatured.

What is the Difference Between Denaturation and Coagulation?

Denaturation changes the native properties of a molecule. On the contrary, coagulation brings molecules from a liquid state to a semi-solid or solid state separating from the solvent. This is the main difference between denaturation and coagulation. Furthermore, on the application side, denaturation is important in killing bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms, and coagulation is important in water purification and blood clotting. Denaturants cause denaturation while coagulants cause coagulation.

Summary – Denaturation vs Coagulation

Denaturation is the process of modifying the structure of a molecule from its native structure. As a result of denaturation, molecules lose their properties. On the other hand, coagulation is another process that makes small molecules aggregate and precipitates to the bottom of the solution. Coagulation is important when comes to blood clotting to recover from an injury and in water treatment to remove contaminants. This is the difference between denaturation and coagulation.

 Reference:

1.“Denaturation (Biochemistry).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 July 2018. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’Process of Denaturation’By Scurran15 – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2.’The coagulation and filtration processes at a drinking water treatment plant. (14868618507)’By USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia