What is beta strands?

Beta strands refer to the secondary structure elements of a protein that form a sheet-like structure that consists of several adjacent and parallel polypeptide chains. Each individual strand is extended and typically consists of at least four amino acid residues that are hydrogen-bonded to the adjacent strands in the same sheet. Beta strands are usually represented in diagrams as arrows pointing in the direction of the C-terminus of the adjacent strand. Beta strands often alternate with alpha helices to form the tertiary structure of a protein. Beta strands are commonly found in structural proteins such as silk and spider webs, as well as in enzymes and other functional proteins.