Q. What is the difference between the beta-sheet and the alpha-helix protein conformations?
Beta-sheet and Alpha-helix conformations are the two main types of secondary structure of a protein molecule. According to the prime protein structure its secondary structure can be of one type or the 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 swollen and the hydrogen bonds form a zig-zag-shaped protein structure called B-strand. Various assembled beta- strands make a beta-sheet.