Final answer:
The alpha-helix is a type of protein secondary structure, stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen and the N-H hydrogen of amino acids, resulting in a strong coiled configuration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question refers to the alpha-helix structure of proteins, which is a type of secondary structure. The alpha helix is a coiled structure that is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen atom (C=O) of one amino acid and the N-H hydrogen atom of the amino acid that is four residues ahead in the primary structure. These hydrogen bonds make the alpha helix a strong and stable configuration within the protein's secondary structure.
Moreover, the hydrogen bonds form intrachain connections, which can result in a protein's highly regular sub-structure. The alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet are the most common types of secondary structures found in proteins. The alpha helix in particular is characterized by a right-handed coiled conformation, where the side chains of the amino acids project outward from the helical backbone.