Schematic for biophysical interactions between the Plasmodium merozoite and the human erythrocyte. A complete biophysical model for merozoite invasion of the erythrocyte from release (A and B), to attachment and reorientation facilitating a stable, tip-wrapped state (C), to PW states (D and E), and full invasion/CW states (F). See main text for details. To see this figure in color, go online.