beta sheet
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A secondary structure that occurs in many proteins and consists of two or more parallel adjacent polypeptide chains arranged in such a way that hydrogen bonds can form between the chains. Unlike in an alpha helix where the amino acids form a coil, in beta sheets the amino acids are arranged in a zigzag pattern that forms a straight chain. The proteins in silk have a beta-sheet structure. Compare alpha helix random coil.
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Words nearby beta sheet
beta particle, beta radiation, beta ray, beta receptor, beta rhythm, beta sheet, beta stock, beta structure, beta test, betatopic, betatron
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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