Helix | right handed helix
TypeofsmoothspacecurveTheright-handedhelix(cost,sint,t)fromt=0to4πwitharrowheadsshowingdirectionofincreasingtAhelix(),pluralhelixesorhelices(),isashapelikeacorkscreworspiralstaircase.Itisatypeofsmoothspacecurvewithtangentlinesataconstantangletoafixedaxis.Helicesareimportantinbiology,astheDNAmoleculeisformedastwointertwinedhelices,andmanyproteinshavehelicalsubstructures,knownasalphahelices.ThewordhelixcomesfromtheGreekwordἕλιξ,"twisted,curved".[1]A"filled-in"helix–forexample,a"spiral"(helical...
Type of smooth space curve
The right-handed helix (cos t, sin t, t) from t = 0 to 4π with arrowheads showing direction of increasing tA helix (), plural helixes or helices (), is a shape like a corkscrew or spiral staircase. It is a type of smooth space curve with tangent lines at a constant angle to a fixed axis. Helices are important in biology, as the DNA molecule is formed as two intertwined helices, and many proteins have helical substructures, known as alpha helices. The word helix comes from the Greek word ἕλιξ, "twisted, curved".[1] A "filled-in" helix – for example, a "spiral" (helical) ramp – is called a helicoid.[2]
Helices can be either right-handed or left-handed. With the line of sight along the helixs axis, if a clockwise screwing motion moves the helix away from the observer, then it is called a right-handed helix; if towards the observer, then it is a left-handed helix. Handedness (or chirality) is a property of the helix, not of the perspectiv...