FIGURE 1.

Schematic picture of the model for the experimental setup in an RNA pulling experiment as described in the text. We show the configurational variables of the system x_b, x_r, and which are the projections of the end-to-end distance of each element along the reaction coordinate axis (i.e., the axis along which the force is applied). The potential V_b(x_b) is well described by an harmonic potential for a one-dimensional spring with rest position at x_b = 0.