Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The secondary structure refers to how those sequences or strings (primary structures) fold upon themselves due to hydrogen bonding between backbone elements. Common forms include alpha-helices and beta-sheets.
Related terms
Alpha-Helix: This is a common secondary structure in proteins where the polypeptide chain forms a spiral shape, stabilized by hydrogen bonds. It's like twisting your string into a spring-like shape.
Beta-Sheet: Another common secondary structure in proteins where parts of the polypeptide chain align parallel or antiparallel next to each other, forming sheet-like structures. Picture folding your string back-and-forth onto itself.
Hydrogen Bonding: A weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom in the other. It's like the magnetic attraction that helps our bead string hold its shape.