helix
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helix
A three-dimensional, spiral-shaped curve that winds around a central axis with a constant slope, similar to the shape of a screw line or a spiral staircase.
Die Wendeltreppe im Turm steigt in Form einer perfekten Helix nach oben.
The spiral staircase in the tower rises upward in the form of a perfect helix.
helix
In biochemistry, a screw-shaped structure of macromolecules, especially the double-helix structure of DNA.
Die Entdeckung der Doppel-Helix-Struktur der DNA war ein Meilenstein für die Genetik.
The discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA was a milestone for genetics.
'Helix' is a technical term from geometry, architecture, and the natural sciences, especially biology and chemistry. In everyday conversation, the word 'Spirale' (spiral) is usually used instead.
In der Architektur findet man die Helix-Form oft bei Wendeltreppen.
In architecture, the helix shape is often found in spiral staircases.
You can recognize the exact meaning of 'Helix' from the context. If you are talking about architecture or mathematics, the geometric shape is meant. In biology or genetics, it almost always refers to the screw-shaped structure of molecules such as DNA.
Die Form der Rutsche ist eine perfekte Helix.
The shape of the slide is a perfect helix.
The word comes from Greek. In scientific or technical texts, the foreign plural 'Helices' is therefore often used when referring to several spiral structures.
Die Sekundärstruktur des Proteins besteht aus mehreren Helices und Faltblättern.
The secondary structure of the protein consists of several helices and beta sheets.
In a biological context, by far the most common and important collocation is 'Doppel-Helix' (double helix). This term describes the structure of the DNA molecule and is a fixed expression.
Watson und Crick beschrieben 1953 die Doppel-Helix-Struktur der DNA.
Watson and Crick described the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953.
spiral
Both words can refer to a screw-shaped form. „Die Spirale“ is the more general term for a winding curve, while „die Helix“ is a technical term for a three-dimensional curve around an axis with a regular pitch. Use „Spirale“ in general and „Helix“ when this three-dimensional form is specifically meant.
Die Feder bildet eine Helix, die sich gleichmäßig um ihre Achse windet.
The spring forms a helix that winds evenly around its axis.
Die Kinder zeichneten eine Spirale, die sich vom Mittelpunkt nach außen windet.
The children drew a spiral that winds outward from the center.
