PSI Barbering Practice Exam

What term describes the spiral shape of a coiled protein?

1. Alpha wave

2. Coil

3. Helix

4. Spiral

The correct answer is: Helix

The term that describes the spiral shape of a coiled protein is "helix." This term is commonly used in biology and biochemistry to refer specifically to a structural conformation, particularly in the context of proteins and nucleic acids. In proteins, the alpha helix is a common secondary structure where the polypeptide chain twists into a regular, spiral shape stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The other terms provided, while they might seem similar, do not accurately capture the specific structural aspect of coiled proteins. "Alpha wave" is a term more commonly associated with brain activity and neurological states rather than protein structure. "Coil" might describe a general shape but lacks the specificity that "helix" provides in a scientific context. "Spiral," while it may describe a form, does not have the biological implications associated with the precise configuration of proteins like the helix does.