In this relatively simple example of splitting and merging the 4-cell is the predominant. When one of the cells in the 4-cell configuration splits to form a 5-cell configuration, the extra cell usually disappears within a few a dozen frames to return to the 4-cell configuration. Sometimes both cells involved in the split dissipate to from a 3-cell configuration. An additional split usually occurs soon after to return to the 4-cell state.
Segmented Cells
The segmented cells for each frame are shown in the
the image and the associated movie. A different
color is assigned to each distinct cell.
At this point in the tracking procedure for splitting
and merging, the
cells are not mapped to their descendents in the
next frame, so color does not indicate the same
cell from one frame to the next.
Time-Lapse
The time-lapse of the cell
centers shows that there is not a huge degree of cell movement in successive
frames. As in the segmented cells, color does not indicate the
same cell in successive frames.
Time-line
After the mapping between splitting and merging cells is accomplished, the
process is represented by a time line. The time line visualization
shows that many splits are immediately followed by the dissipation of
one of the newly created cells.