Final answer:
Super secondary structure elements in proteins include beta-alpha-beta units and helix-turn-helix motifs, encompassing the basic secondary structures of α-helix and β-pleated sheets, which are important for the protein's functional three-dimensional shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three types of super secondary structure elements in proteins are usually referred to as structural motifs. Among these elements, one can observe combinations such as beta-alpha-beta units and the helix-turn-helix motif. These structural elements involve combinations of the basic types of secondary structures, which include the α-helix, β-pleated sheet, and random coils.
The α-helix is a spiral-shaped structure stabilized by hydrogen bonds, the β-pleated sheet consists of side-by-side rows of amino acids forming sheets also stabilized by hydrogen bonds, and random coils are irregularly shaped sections of the protein that link the regular secondary structures. Supersecondary structures contribute significantly to the functional three-dimensional tertiary structure of proteins.