Note the frequent oxygens and nitrogens on this surface of the alpha helix. This side of the helix faces the water at the surface of the protein. The backbone has been darkened. The opposite surface of the helix is hydrophobic. It faces the inside of the protein, where there is little water, interacting with hydrophobic amino acids on other helices. This end view shows the differences between sides.
The backbone has been darkened. The opposite surface of the helix is hydrophobic. It faces the inside of the protein, where there is little water, interacting with hydrophobic amino acids on other helices. This end view shows the differences between sides.
The opposite surface of the helix is hydrophobic. It faces the inside of the protein, where there is little water, interacting with hydrophobic amino acids on other helices. This end view shows the differences between sides.
This end view shows the differences between sides.