Figure 2.

Snapshots of RBCs deformed because of parasite adhesion with a side contact, including small (left column) and large (right column) merozoites. Interaction strengths from top to bottom are ϵ_a/k_BT = 1, 4, 7, 10 for the small merozoite and ϵ_a/k_BT = 1, 2, 4, 5.4 for the large parasite. Depending on the interaction strength, the parasite induces membrane deformations of various intensity. These deformations are classified visually by a deformation index I_d (see Table 2) and quantified by the deformation energy ΔE_rbc shown in Fig. 3. Because of the interaction strength and partial wrapping of the parasite by the membrane, the parasite reorients itself toward a configuration with a minimal total energy and shows no significant motion afterwards; see Videos S1 and S2. Here, a = 0 (homogeneous adhesion). To see this figure in color, go online.