Cytokinesis

Definition

Cytokinesis is the process during cell division in which the cytoplasm of a parent cell is divided into two daughter cells, completing the overall process of cell division. This stage follows mitosis or meiosis and is crucial for ensuring that each daughter cell receives an appropriate share of cellular organelles and resources. Cytokinesis ensures that cells can function independently after division, maintaining proper cellular functions and contributing to tissue growth and repair.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cytokinesis typically occurs immediately after mitosis or meiosis and is responsible for physically separating the two daughter cells.
2. In animal cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell membrane inwards to separate the daughter cells.
3. In plant cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cell plate, which eventually develops into a new cell wall separating the two daughter cells.
4. The timing and regulation of cytokinesis are critical; errors can lead to abnormal cell division, contributing to conditions like cancer.
5. Cytokinesis is different from karyokinesis, which refers specifically to the division of the nucleus during mitosis or meiosis.

Review Questions

• How does cytokinesis differ in animal cells compared to plant cells?
  • Cytokinesis differs between animal and plant cells primarily in the mechanism used for separation. In animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms and pinches the cell membrane inward to divide the cytoplasm and create two distinct daughter cells. In contrast, plant cells develop a cell plate at the center of the dividing cell, which gradually expands outward to form a new cell wall that separates the two daughter cells.
• What role does cytokinesis play in maintaining tissue homeostasis and function within multicellular organisms?
  • Cytokinesis is vital for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function because it ensures that when cells divide, each daughter cell receives a proper distribution of organelles and resources. This is essential for cellular health and activity. Without proper cytokinesis, cells might not function correctly or could become aneuploid (having an abnormal number of chromosomes), leading to disrupted tissue integrity and potentially contributing to diseases like cancer.
• Evaluate the consequences of errors during cytokinesis and how they might impact an organism's overall health.
  • Errors during cytokinesis can lead to various severe consequences for an organism's health. For instance, if cytokinesis fails to occur correctly, it can result in polyploidy or aneuploidy in daughter cells. Such abnormalities can disrupt normal cellular functions and promote uncontrolled growth, increasing the risk of cancer. Furthermore, improper cytokinesis can impair tissue repair processes and lead to developmental issues in multicellular organisms, highlighting its critical role in overall health.

Related terms

Mitosis: A type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair.

Meiosis:

A specialized form of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes, essential for sexual reproduction.

Cell Cycle: The series of phases that a cell goes through from its formation until it divides, consisting of interphase and the mitotic phase.