An α-helix is a common structural motif in proteins, characterized by a right-handed coil or spiral conformation. It is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the backbone atoms of amino acids in the polypeptide chain.
β-sheet: A secondary structure in proteins characterized by beta strands connected laterally by at least two or three backbone hydrogen bonds.
Hydrogen Bond: A weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom in another.
Amino Acid: The building blocks of proteins, consisting of a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a unique R side chain.