Which component of the cytoskeleton is involved in cell division?

Microtubules play a crucial role in cell division, particularly during the phases of mitosis and meiosis. They make up the mitotic spindle, which is essential for separating chromosomes and ensuring that each daughter cell receives the correct number of chromosomes. Microtubules grow and shrink dynamically, allowing them to attach to the kinetochores of chromosomes and pull them apart. This process is vital for accurate cell division, and any errors in microtubule function can lead to cell division failures and genetic imbalances.

While actin filaments and intermediate filaments do have important roles in cell structure and movement, they do not directly participate in the separation of chromosomes during cell division. Actin filaments are more involved in processes such as cytokinesis—the physical division of the cytoplasm after mitosis—while intermediate filaments provide mechanical support to the cell's structure but do not play a role in the segregation of chromosomes. Therefore, the specific involvement of microtubules in creating the mitotic spindle makes them the correct answer for this question.