Secondary Structure

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.

Analogy

Imagine folding your string of beads into specific shapes - spirals or pleats for example - this is what happens in secondary structure formation.

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.