Figure 3.

Fitting to the general model. (A) The general two-stage model is split into four regions. First, before engulfment begins, the contact length is constant with a = a₀. Second, after engulfment begins at t = t₀, the engulfed arc length is given as a power law with power α₁ and prefactor A₁. Third, after t = t₁, the second step begins and a is described by an independent power law with power α₂ and prefactor A₂. Fourth, after t = t₂, the particle is completely engulfed and a = a₂. (B) Comparison of the two powers, α₁ and α₂, showing the median and upper and lower quartiles. $n_{{\alpha }_1}=n_{{\alpha }_2}=12$ (6 beads × 2 lobes). A Mann-Whitney U-test showed that the difference between α₁ and α₂ is significant (p < 0.02, U = 107.5). To see this figure in color, go online.