secondary structure

Secondary structure refers to the specific local shapes that a protein chain folds into, mainly alpha helices and beta sheets. These shapes are stabilized by hydrogen bonds between backbone atoms, giving the protein its structural framework. Think of it as the way a flexible string (the protein chain) folds into regular, repeating patterns, providing support and shape. These structures are essential for the protein's function, as they help determine how the protein interacts with other molecules and perform its biological roles.