Force-extension profiles of (protein L)5. Force-extension profiles shown were recorded at tip retraction rates of (a) 77, (b) 230, (c) 700, and (d) 2100 nm s−1. The second to fifth peaks for each unfolding series, together with the final extension of the fully unfolded polymer, are fitted with a wormlike chain model (28) for polymer elasticity (shaded line) with p = 0.4 nm.