What is a cleavage furrow?

• A. A type of cancerous growth
• B. A structure in mitosis
• C. A groove in the plasma membrane between daughter nuclei
• D. A part of the endoplasmic reticulum

Answer: (C)

A cleavage furrow is a specific structure that forms during cell division, particularly in the process of cytokinesis, which occurs after mitosis. It represents the physical indentation that begins to separate the two daughter cells as the cell prepares to divide. The furrow is formed due to the contraction of a ring of microfilaments composed predominantly of actin, which creates a groove in the plasma membrane between the newly formed daughter nuclei. This action effectively pinches the cell into two separate entities, facilitating the completion of cell division.

This definition highlights the significance of the cleavage furrow in ensuring that each daughter cell receives an appropriate share of the cytoplasm and cellular components, thus maintaining proper cellular function after division. Understanding the role of the cleavage furrow is crucial for grasping how cells replicate and maintain their functions during growth and repair processes.