Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

4. Protein Structure

Alpha Helix

Biochemistry

4. Protein Structure

Alpha Helix

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Multiple Choice

In the context of protein secondary structure, is the alpha helix typically a right-handed or left-handed coil?

Left-handed

Both right-handed and left-handed

Neither; it is not helical

Right-handed

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of protein secondary structure: Protein secondary structure refers to the local folding of the polypeptide chain into regular structures such as alpha helices and beta sheets, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Learn about the alpha helix: The alpha helix is a common secondary structure in proteins, characterized by a helical shape where the backbone forms a spiral stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen of one amino acid and the amide hydrogen of another amino acid four residues away.

Determine the handedness of the alpha helix: The handedness of a helix refers to the direction in which the helix spirals. A right-handed helix spirals clockwise when viewed from the top, while a left-handed helix spirals counterclockwise.

Recall the typical handedness of the alpha helix: In naturally occurring proteins, the alpha helix is almost always right-handed due to the stereochemistry of amino acids and the energetically favorable interactions in this configuration.

Conclude that the alpha helix is typically right-handed: Based on the structural and energetic considerations, the alpha helix in proteins is predominantly right-handed.