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Definition of: alpha helix
A spiral arrangement of amino acids in certain protein molecules, forming a cylinder with side groups projecting outward.
| In each column the characters of the alphabet are given first, followed by the names of the characters in Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek. The last row in each column shows the approximate English sound represented by each character. Columns 3, 4, and 5 show the upper- and lower-case forms. The Arabic characters are given in their final, unconnected forms. The German style of letter, called fraktur, has, since the 1880's, been gradually replaced in German printing by the Latin letter. |
| 1 Functions as the bearer of hamza (the glottal stop), or as a lengthener of short a. 2 A voiced pharyngeal fricative. 3 A voiced velar fricative. 4 A uvular stop. 5 A voiceless velar stop. 6 A glottal stop, now usually silent, or pronounced according to the accompanying vowel points. 7 A pharyngeal fricative, now usually silent, or pronounced according to the accompanying vowel points. 8 The alternate form is restricted to the ends of words. 9, 10, 11 In classical Greek these were pronounced as aspirated stops similar to the sounds in foothill, haphazard, and blockhouse. 12 Appears only as the second vowel in a diphthong. 13 Formerly, a sign of non-palatalization of consonants at the ends of words; since 1918, used only between two syllables to indicate that they are separately pronounced. 14 A sign of palatalization of a preceding consonant. |
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