Figure 1: Tensile tests under various humidity levels on B. subtilis multicellular fibres with different genes deleted.
From: Study of the tensile properties of individual multicellular fibres generated by Bacillus subtilis
(a) Force–displacement curves of B. subtilis multicellular fibres with sigD, lytE, and lytD deleted. These studies were conducted at 22 ± 2 °C with relative humidity RH = 28 ± 8%. (b) Stress–strain curves corresponding to (a). (c) Stress–strain curves of B. subtilis multicellular fibres with sigD and lytE deleted. These studies were conducted at room temperature with low RH (<45%). (d,e) Tensile tests of B. subtilis multicellular fibres with sigD, lytE, and lytD deleted under various RH (24–60%). When RH < 45%, the stress and strain have an approximately linear relation, which is a typical property of elastic–brittle materials. When RH > 45%, the stress–strain curves exhibit viscoelastic behaviour and necking failure.
