Early during the high speed playback of this time-lapse sequence of live 3T3 cell dynamics, a single fibroblast fills most of the field of view. The cell is adorned by a skirt-like rim of flattened lamellipodia that extends almost completely around its perimeter. As if it were a ballerina outfitted in the traditional tutu, the 3T3 fibroblast twirls in a tight circle before it eventually commences migration toward the upper left-hand corner of the field of view, from whence the cell makes its exit.

Cells do not always experience a complete release of the focal adhesions they form with a substratum. As demonstrated by the previously mentioned fibroblast during its leftward locomotion, small sections of cytoplasm may be left behind if focal adhesions along the trailing end of the cell are not liberated as the cell progresses. In some instances, newly formed cell debris can continue movement on its own for a time, a fact that is often cited as evidence that nuclei, mitochondria, and other organelles are not necessarily essential for cellular motion to occur. The tiny bits of debris left behind in this case, however, appear to remain stationary until a rapidly traveling cell migrates over them and adds their contents to its own form.

The swift movements of lamellipodia and filopodia in the video that sometimes give the sensation of a flickering light are known as ruffling. Though it appears to be erratic and involves extension as well as retraction, the overall movement of membrane ruffling is toward the back of the cell. Most ruffles, which also can have a wave-like appearance, collapse near the central region of the cell. Ruffling is generally most pronounced along the leading margin of a fibroblast.