Question

Actin microfilaments and tubulin-based microtubules are important components of the cytoskeleton that function during mitosis. Which process of cell division would be most affected if actin function was blocked?

1) Cytokinesis
2) Prophase
3) Metaphase
4) Anaphase

Answer 1

The process most affected by blocking actin function during cell division is cytokinesis, where actin microfilaments are essential for forming the cleavage furrow to divide the cell into two.

Step-by-step explanation:

If actin function was blocked, the process of cell division that would be most affected is cytokinesis. During cytokinesis, actin microfilaments interact with myosin to form a cleavage furrow that constricts the cell into two daughter cells. Actin filaments also play a role in providing structural support to intestinal microvilli and enabling their movement independent of peristalsis. While microfilaments are crucial for cytokinesis, microtubules, composed of α- and β-tubulin, are responsible for segregating chromosomes during earlier stages of mitosis, such as prophase, metaphase, and anaphase, by forming the mitotic spindle.