Actin pushing out the front of the cell


Individual filaments of actin can be seen in this electron-microscope view of the front of a moving cell. The edge of the cell, and the direction of movement, are towards the top of the image. The actin filaments are pointing towards the front of the cell, so when they grow they push the cell front further forwards.

Figure courtesy of Gary Borisy. Copyright The Rockefeller University Press.