What is the primary role of microfilaments during cell division?

• A. They organize the Golgi apparatus for vesicle transport.
• B. They form the mitotic spindle to separate chromosomes.
• C. They stabilize the nuclear envelope during mitosis.
• D. They contract to form the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure and function of microfilaments: Microfilaments are thin, thread-like protein structures composed primarily of actin. They are part of the cytoskeleton and play a crucial role in maintaining cell shape, enabling cell movement, and facilitating cell division.
2. Learn about cytokinesis: Cytokinesis is the process during cell division where the cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell is divided to form two daughter cells. This occurs after mitosis, the division of the nucleus.
3. Explore the role of microfilaments in cytokinesis: During cytokinesis, microfilaments are responsible for forming the cleavage furrow. This is a contractile ring that pinches the cell membrane, leading to the separation of the two daughter cells.
4. Understand the mechanism of cleavage furrow formation: The contractile ring is composed of actin microfilaments and myosin motor proteins. These proteins interact to contract the ring, pulling the cell membrane inward to create the cleavage furrow.
5. Recognize the importance of microfilaments in cell division: Microfilaments are essential for the physical separation of the daughter cells during cytokinesis, ensuring successful cell division and the formation of two distinct cells.