Fig. 2.

Unidirectional variations in the thickness of the central region of the membrane. Only the longest and shortest lipids are shown. a Configuration MTCR. Total membrane thickness d = 2L. Central region thickness d _c = δL. b Bilayer leaflets farther apart than in configuration MTCR. Total membrane thickness d > 2L. Central region thickness d _c > δL. c Bilayer leaflets closer together than in configuration MTCR. Total membrane thickness d < 2L. Central region thickness d _c > δL. L average lipid length, δL width of the lipid length range, MTCR minimal thickness of the central region