FIGURE 6.

Differentiation between force curves of single molecules with domains and of several molecules in parallel by analyzing the slope of the force curve before rupture. (A) Generated force curves of i), a single molecule with two domains, and ii), three parallel molecules. The contour length and the rupture forces were chosen so that the ruptures occurred at the same pulling length and the same force. The force curve of the single molecules with domains has a steeper slope before the rupture as can be seen when taking the derivative of the force curve (lower plot). (B) Same experiment but with typical noise. The difference in the slopes of the force curves can still be seen in the derivatives of the force curve (lower plot).