Fig. 7

Time-resolved sequences from a simulated degradation of mixed amorphous–crystalline cellulose by the cellulase system. Cellulases are identified by color EG (red), CBH II (light blue), and CBH I (dark blue). a A crystallite is gradually uncovered over time until the horizontally oriented hydrophobic face is revealed. b Upon revealing of the hydrophobic face, the crystallite is attacked in an asymmetric manner. c Finally, the crystallite becomes completely degraded over time. A video of the shown degradation sequence is available (Additional file 2). Please note that occasional visual overlapping of enzymes is caused by their position in different z-planes of the substrate