The conformational arrangement (α-
helix, β-pleated sheet, etc.)
of the
backbone segments of a macromolecule such as a polypeptide chain of a protein without regard
to the
conformation of the side chains or the relationship to other segments.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2193
(Basic terminology of stereochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996))
on page 2218