Portraits of Cell Division

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This Demonstration shows the profile of a symmetrically constricting cell as it undergoes cell division. The progress is controlled by the slider parameter . During constriction, this dimensionless parameter varies from (no constriction) to (maximal constriction). The shape of the initial (unconstricted) cell is determined by the dimensionless parameter , with corresponding to prolate (rod-like) cells, to spherical cells and to oblate (disk-like) cells. Constriction at constant polar radius, at constant membrane area and at constant cell volume are represented by the black, red and blue lines, respectively. The cell remains axisymmetric throughout the process.

Contributed by: Elena Beltrán-Heredia (February 2018)
Open content licensed under CC BY-NC-SA


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Reference

[1] E. Beltrán-Heredia, V. G. Almendro-Vedia, F. Monroy and F. J. Cao, "Modeling the Mechanics of Cell Division: Influence of Spontaneous Membrane Curvature, Surface Tension, and Osmotic Pressure," Frontiers in Physiology, 8, 2017 pp. 312–333. doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.00312.



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