Figure 1 Examining the assumption behind structure factor, S(q), computations. S(q) of our cubic crystal model (lattice parameter a = 3.5 nm, and ten subunit repetitions in each axis) was computed in three ways. We
first computed S(q) from a list of subunit point locations [equation (11 ), blue curve]. The other two structure-factor curves were obtained using equation
(12 ). Initially, the scattered intensity of the same crystal was computed, where the
subunits were either symmetric (spheres with a radius of 1.5 nm) or asymmetric (cylinders
with a height of 3.2 nm and a radius of 0.17 nm). We then divided each scattering
intensity by its subunit form factor: sphere (orange curve) or cylinder (green curve).
Except for some discrepancies owing to numerical errors, the difference between the
crystal model (blue curve) and the symmetric subunit (sphere – orange curve) graph
is minimal, unlike the difference between the crystal model (blue) and the asymmetric
subunit (cylinder – green) graphs. The results demonstrate the assumption behind equation
(12 ) stating that the form factor has to come from subunits with spherical symmetry. |