FIGURE 8.

Hypothesis of the growth mechanism of the first few rods. Note that the molecular dimensions of the lamellar phase and the lipid rod are realistic, because they are deduced from the electron density maps at the transition temperature T_H = 74°C. (A) Creation of a line defect, e.g., a water core (^*) may form spontaneously. The circle marks an unfavorable positive curvature region. (B) Formation of the first rod; the minimization of the volume of the interstitial region induces the formation of new water cores (^*, left and right of the rod). Two not-yet-filled void regions are marked with an upper triangle (Δ). (C) The interstitial regions (Δ) of B are now filled, but consequently inducing two more water cores (^*) below the first rod.