British and Canadian researchers have explained the roles of chromosomes in the cell division process in the journal Nature. As per the researchers, cell division takes place in a process known as cytokenesis.

One of the study researchers, Gilles Hickson from University of Montreal, was of the view that they have been seeing that cells get divide for more than 100 years, but were not having complete information on the molecular mechanisms involved.

It was important to know about it as cell division is central to life. The researchers said a single cell divides many times and they further divide and then again divide in millions of times in any given day. It is now that the researchers have come to know that chromosomes have a role to play in this entire procedure.

Mitosis, separation of chromosomes after division of cells takes place in new ones through cytokinesis, is responsible for the process of cell division in humans and other animals.

Hickson said, "Division is a complex and robust process that is generally performed flawlessly, but when an error occurs in DNA separation or during cytokinesis, it can be a source for triggering cancer, for example".

The researchers were able to know about the procedure by assessing the cells of fruit-flies. The researchers conducted the research through the use of microscopy and genetic tools. The researchers came to know that chromosomes give signals that lead the cell cortex to increase microtubular activities.