alpha helix
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Related to Alpha helixes: alpha helix, Beta sheets
alpha helix
[′al·fə ′hē·liks] (cell and molecular biology)
A spatial configuration of the polypeptide chains of proteins in which the chain assumes a helical form, 0.54 nanometer in pitch, 3.6 amino acids per turn, presenting the appearance of a hollow cylinder with radiating side groups.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.