alpha helix

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Pronunciation

/ˈæl fə ˈhi lɪks/

Part of Speech

noun

Definition

A common secondary structure of proteins that takes the form of a right handed spiral in which every amino group donates a hydrogen bond to the carbonyl group of the amino acid four residues earlier.

Etymology

Greek, from álpha & hélix

alpha helix
Accepted term: 19-Feb-2016