Alpha helix

The alpha helix

A collagen helix is less compact (because it goes into triple helices), and it is a left-handed helix. An alpha helix is more compact and hence requires more rotation of bonds to form (hence proline is not very common...has an imidazole ring). It is a right-handed helix, and goes into double helices instead.

He is famous because of his research of Alpha Helix protein structure. It is spiral chain of amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds.http://www.answers.com/topic/alpha-helix

This is quite simple. Using stoichiometry to keep track of units, simply take the number of amino acids in the particular alpha helix and multiply by 15 angstroms. This is the length the alpha helix is advanced along the length axis by each additional A.A. For a beta helix it become more difficult however and you must know how many sheets you are taking into account.