Final answer:
Localized patterns of folding in a polypeptide represent the secondary structure of a protein, which includes α-helix and β-pleated sheet structures stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The level of structure that represents localized patterns of folding in a polypeptide is known as the secondary structure. This level of protein structure includes local folding that occurs in certain regions of a polypeptide, creating patterns such as the α-helix and the β-pleated sheet. These structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonds that form between the oxygen atom in the carbonyl group of one amino acid and another amino acid that is four amino acids farther along the chain. The formation of these secondary structures is critical for the overall three-dimensional structure of the protein, affecting its function and interactions with other molecules.