This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Alpha helix

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The alpha helix is a structural motif of proteins. It forms spontaneously as part of the secondary level of organization within proteins.

It consists of the primary polypeptide chain forming a spiral. There are approximately 3.5 amino acids per turn of the spiral. The structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between side groups.

Alpha helices are present within:

  • keratin
  • myosin
  • fibrin
  • collagen

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.