Secondary Structure
The term "Secondary Structure" refers to the local folded shapes that form within a protein due to hydrogen bonding between the backbone atoms. The most common types of secondary structures are the alpha helix and the beta sheet. These structures are crucial for the overall stability and function of proteins.
Secondary structure is a key aspect of protein folding, which ultimately determines a protein's three-dimensional shape and biological activity. Understanding secondary structures helps scientists predict how proteins will behave in various environments and can aid in drug design and other applications in biochemistry.