Chemical modification refers to the process of altering the chemical structure of a substance to enhance its properties or functionality. This can involve adding, removing, or changing specific chemical groups within a molecule, which can lead to improved performance in applications such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, and biochemistry. One common example of chemical modification is the alteration of proteins to improve their stability or activity. By modifying certain amino acids, scientists can create enzymes that work more efficiently or have a longer shelf life, making them more useful in various industrial and medical applications.