Question

why did we get the name alpha helix and beta pleated?? is there any scientific reason behind the naming??

Answer 1

Dear student,

In the year 1930s, William Astbury gave the kinked chain structure of the fibre protein.He along with various researchers proposed that the protein molecules which were unstretched formed a helix-like structure which was later called as alpha helix by them.When the protein molecules were stretched, it leads to the uncoiling of the helix into an extended sheet or pleated structure. This was later called as a beta form by him.Hence, the researchers gave this name on the basis of shape either helical or pleated and alpha and beta on the basis of the order first seen by them.

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