Work distribution in manipulated single biomolecules.
We consider the relation between the microscopic and effective descriptions of the unfolding experiment on a model polypeptide. We evaluate the probability distribution function of the work performed by Monte Carlo simulations and compare it with that obtained by evaluating the work distribution generating function on an effective Brownian motion model tailored to reproduce exactly the equilibrium properties. The agreement is satisfactory for fast protocols, but deteriorates for slower ones, hinting at the existence of processes on several time scales even in such a simple system.
Imparato
A
A
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Aarhus, Ny Munkegade, Building 1520, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. imparato@phys.au.dk
Peliti
L
L
D003198:Computer Simulation; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009038:Motion; D017510:Protein Folding; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013816:Thermodynamics
D011506:Proteins