Bio Chemistry Interview Question:

What is the difference between the alpha helix and the beta-sheet protein conformations?

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Alpha helix and beta-sheet conformations are the two main types of secondary structure of a protein molecule. According to the primary protein structure, its secondary structure can be of one type or other.

In the alpha-helix structure, the polypeptide curls longitudinally by the action of hydrogen bonds forming a spiral, or helix. In the beta-sheet conformation, the protein is more distended and the hydrogen bonds form a zig-zag-shaped protein structure called B-strand. Many assembled beta-strands make a beta-sheet.
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