= Spectrin unfolding by force spectroscopy
A modular <protein> can release additional contour length when a folded domain crosses a mechanical unfolding barrier. At almost fixed end separation this lowers fractional extension and tension, producing a saw-tooth force record. Successive <worm-like chain> fits can share backbone <persistence length> while their contour lengths increase. Rupture force and hysteresis depend on loading history; peak force alone is not an equilibrium unfolding free energy.
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