Activation

This article is about a requirement for a chemical reaction. For a step in a software installation process, see Product activation. For the calling of a subroutine, see Subroutine. For neutron activation, see neutron activation.

Activation in (bio-)chemical sciences generally refers to the process whereby something is prepared or excited for a subsequent reaction.

Chemistry

In chemistry, "activation" refers to the reversible transition of a molecule into a nearly identical chemical or physical state, with the defining characteristic being that this resultant state exhibits an increased propensity to undergo a specified chemical reaction. Thus, activation is conceptually the opposite of protection, in which the resulting state exhibits a decreased propensity to undergo a certain reaction.

The energy of activation specifies the amount of free energy the reactants must possess (in addition to their rest energy) in order to initiate their conversion into corresponding products—that is, in order to reach the transition state for the reaction. The energy needed for activation can be quite small, and often it is provided by the natural random thermal fluctuations of the molecules themselves (i.e. without any external sources of energy).

The branch of chemistry that deals with this topic is called chemical kinetics.

Biology

Biochemistry

In biochemistry, activation, specifically called bioactivation, is where enzymes or other biologically active molecules acquire the ability to perform their biological function, such as inactive proenzymes being converted into active enzymes that are able to catalyze their substrates into products. Bioactivation may also refer to the process where inactive prodrugs are converted into their active metabolites, or the toxication of protoxins into actual toxins.

An enzyme may be reversibly or irreversibly bioactivated; A major mechanism of irreversible bioactivation is where a piece of the protein is cut off by protein cleavage, causing the enzyme to stay active. On the other hand, a major mechanism of reversible bioactivation is where a cofactor is placed on the enzyme, causing it to only stay active while the cofactor stays on. However, when the cofactor is removed, the enzyme stops being active.

Immunology

Main article: Immunologic activation

In immunology, activation is the transition of leucocytes and other cell types involved in the immune system. On the other hand, deactivation is the transition in the reverse direction. This balance is tightly regulated, since a too small degree of activation causes susceptibility to infections, while, on the other hand, a too large degree of activation causes autoimmune diseases.

Activation and deactivation results from a variety of factors, including cytokines, soluble receptors, arachidonic acid metabolites, steroids, receptor antagonists, adhesion molecules, bacterial products and viral products.

Electrophysiology

Activation refers to the opening of ion channels, i.e. the conformational change that allows ions to pass.