Cell division is important both during development, and after reaching maturity. During development, we start off as a single cell created by the fusion of an ova and sperm. This single cell undergoes many cell division events in order to form a fetus and eventually, a fully mature person. During cell division cells replicate DNA, our genetic material, and separate into two cells. Tubulin plays a critical role in the separation of chromosomes, whereas actin facilitates the "pinching off" of the cell to form two distinct cells at the end of division.
Time lapse movie of a dividing frog embryo. Shown in red are the duplicated chromosomes and in the green are microtubules pulling separating the chromosomes into each of the daughter cells. At the last moment, the membrane begins to pinch off. This process is regulated by actin filaments (CIL13088).
