secondary structure

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. the arrangement of a polypeptide into a regular alpha helix, beta structure, or random coil configuration by the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds along the length of the chain.

secondary structure

1. The protein structure characterized by folding of the peptide chain into an alpha helix, beta sheet, or random coil.
2. See also primary structure
3. The folded, helical structure of double-stranded DNA.

Example Sentences

LinearFold was able to predict the secondary structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA sequence in only 27 seconds, 120 times faster than other methods.

From MIT Technology Review

The medullary shell is usually to be regarded as a primary, the cortical as a secondary structure.

From Project Gutenberg