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Related Concept Videos

Morphogenesis02:19

Morphogenesis

Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
Cell Motility through Blebbing01:16

Cell Motility through Blebbing

Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
Blebbing Through the Matrix
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The Contractile Ring02:15

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Contractile rings are composed of microfilaments and are responsible for separating the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Contractile ring assembly proceeds along with other cell cycle events; however, very few mechanistic details are known about the timing and coordination of the contractile rings with the cell cycle.
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The Contractile Ring02:15

The Contractile Ring

Contractile rings are composed of microfilaments and are responsible for separating the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Contractile ring assembly proceeds along with other cell cycle events; however, very few mechanistic details are known about the timing and coordination of the contractile rings with the cell cycle.
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The Phragmoplast01:59

The Phragmoplast

Cell division is essential for organismal growth and development. In animal cells, the central spindle and its associated proteins form the midbody, a structure that has an essential role in cytokinesis. In plants, the central spindle, along with the microtubules, actin, and other cell components, matures into the phragmoplast, which is necessary for cytokinesis. Unlike the stationary midbody, the phragmoplast expands centrifugally, eventually leading to the formation of the new cell wall.
The...
Cell Migration01:09

Cell Migration

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

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Apical constriction: a cell shape change that can drive morphogenesis.

Jacob M Sawyer1, Jessica R Harrell, Gidi Shemer

  • 1Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Developmental Biology
|September 16, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cell sheet bending, crucial for animal development, is driven by apical constriction. This review explores diverse mechanisms and roles of apical constriction across species, revealing common developmental themes.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Morphogenesis

Background:

  • Cell shape changes and tissue movements are fundamental to animal development.
  • Apical constriction, the shrinking of cell apices, drives dramatic tissue bending.
  • Understanding these processes is vital for developmental biology and birth defects research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse mechanisms of apical constriction.
  • To explore the varied roles of apical constriction in development.
  • To identify common themes across different biological systems.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of apical constriction research.
  • Review of studies across multiple model organisms (Drosophila, C. elegans, sea urchin, Xenopus, chick, mouse).

Main Results:

  • Apical constriction is a conserved mechanism across diverse species.
  • Multiple molecular and cellular pathways contribute to apical constriction.
  • Apical constriction plays critical roles in various morphogenetic events.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental patterning spatially and temporally regulates force production in cells.
  • Apical constriction is a key driver of morphogenesis, essential for proper animal form.
  • Cross-species comparisons illuminate fundamental principles of developmental mechanisms.