Cell division in animal organisms commonly concludes through a process characterized by the formation of a cleavage furrow. This furrow, a contractile ring composed of actin filaments and myosin II, progressively constricts the cell membrane, eventually pinching the cell into two distinct daughter cells. The mechanism ensures equitable distribution of cellular contents and genetic material following nuclear division (mitosis).
The proper execution of this process is fundamental to organismal development, tissue repair, and overall cellular homeostasis. Errors during this phase can lead to aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome number) and contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer. Understanding the intricate molecular events driving this process has been a key focus of cell biology research for decades, leading to significant advances in knowledge of cytoskeletal dynamics and cell signaling pathways.
