Spiral staircase, secondary structure protein

One type of secondary protein structure is like a spiral staircase and is called the a-helix. The spheres represent individual amino acids. 

One common type of secondary structure resembles a spiral staircase. This spiral stmcture is called an a-helix (see Figure 21.3). A spiral-like secondary stmcture gives the protein elasticity (springiness) and is found in the fibrous proteins in wool, hair, and tendons. Another type of secondary structure involves joining several different protein chains in an arrangement called a pleated sheet, as shown below. 

A new photo of a spiral staircase is added to illustrate the alpha helical secondary structure of proteins. 

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