In pоlypeptides, the bаckbоne cоnformаtion is primаrily defined by two dihedral angles: φ (phi) and ψ (psi). Although any combination of these angles might seem geometrically possible, in practice, many combinations are disfavored due to steric hindrance. For example, both φ and ψ cannot simultaneously be 0° because the resulting steric crowding between the backbone atoms would be prohibitive. Conversely, certain regions on the Ramachandran plot are populated because they offer the dual advantage of minimizing steric clashes and facilitating favorable hydrogen-bonding interactions along the peptide backbone. These favorable φ and ψ combinations help stabilize secondary structures such as α-helices and β-sheets. Based on the passage above, which of the following best explains why certain φ (phi) and ψ (psi) combinations are favored in protein structures?