Helix
In math, a helix is a curve in three dimensions. It looks a bit like a spiral. Each helix has a line called its axis that goes through its center. The helix has a constant angle to this line. A helix can fit around the outside of a cone with the same axis and angle. Helices are often seen in nature and the sciences.
A well known helix is the shape of a DNA molecule. It is called the double helix because its shape has two helices around each other that share the same axis.[1] Many proteins also curl into helix shapes when they fold.[2]
- ↑ "Double Helix". www.genome.gov. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ Barlow, D. J.; Thornton, J. M. (1988-06-05). "Helix geometry in proteins". Journal of Molecular Biology. 201 (3): 601–619. doi:10.1016/0022-2836(88)90641-9. ISSN 0022-2836. PMID 3418712.
