Strain stiffening of protein networks is explored by means of a finite strain analysis of a two-dimensional network model of cross-linked semiflexible filaments.The results show that stiffening is caused by non-affine network rearrangements that govern a transition from a bending dominated response at small strains to a stretching dominated response at large strains.Thermally-induced filament undulations only have a minor effect;they merely postpone the transition.
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