Figure 3.

Shape-dependent asymmetry between capture and leakage dynamics. (A) A spinal surface, consisting of two equally sized absorbing regions, one at the base of the neck and one at the top of the spine (R = 1 μm, B = 4 μm, d = 0.12 μm, D = 0.1 μm²/s; see Fig. 1C). (B–D) At t = 0, the local receptor concentration is homogeneously distributed over the surface of the spine. (B) Time-evolution of capture at Ω₁ upon rendering this region absorbing. (C) Time-evolution of capture at Ω₂ upon rendering this region absorbing. (D) Time-evolution of capture at Ω₁ and Ω₂ upon rendering both regions absorbing. (E) Neck-size dependence of the mean escape time of receptors released at the reflecting boundary Ω₁ (1) or Ω₂ (2) and captured by the absorbing boundary Ω₂ (1) or Ω₁ (2), respectively. (Dots) Simulation results; (continuous line) analytical results based on MFPT. To see this figure in color, go online.