Cytokinesis

Definition

Cytokinesis is the final stage of cell division, where the cytoplasm of a parent cell is divided into two daughter cells. This process occurs after mitosis or meiosis, ensuring that each new cell contains the necessary organelles and cytoplasmic components for survival and function. Cytokinesis is essential for maintaining cellular organization and contributing to tissue growth and repair.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cytokinesis is distinct from mitosis, which involves the separation of chromosomes; cytokinesis focuses on dividing the cell's cytoplasm.
2. In animal cells, cytokinesis is achieved through the formation of a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell membrane inward.
3. In plant cells, a cell plate forms along the center of the cell, which expands outward to fuse with the existing cell membrane.
4. The timing and regulation of cytokinesis are critical for proper cell division and are influenced by various signaling pathways.
5. Errors in cytokinesis can lead to abnormalities such as multinucleation or aneuploidy, impacting organismal development and health.

Review Questions

• How does cytokinesis differ between animal and plant cells during cell division?
  • Cytokinesis differs significantly between animal and plant cells due to their structural differences. In animal cells, a cleavage furrow forms, which pinches the cell membrane inward until the two daughter cells separate. In contrast, plant cells cannot pinch due to their rigid cell walls; instead, they form a cell plate at the center of the cell that gradually develops into a new cell wall, thereby dividing the cytoplasm and forming two distinct daughter cells.
• Discuss the role of cytokinesis in maintaining cellular organization and its implications for tissue growth.
  • Cytokinesis plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular organization by ensuring that each daughter cell receives an appropriate amount of cytoplasm and organelles necessary for survival. This process is vital for tissue growth and repair, as it enables tissues to increase in cell number and maintain functionality. Proper cytokinesis is essential for normal development; disruptions can lead to cellular abnormalities that affect tissue structure and health.
• Evaluate how errors during cytokinesis can affect overall organism health and development.
  • Errors during cytokinesis can have serious consequences for organism health and development. For instance, improper cytokinesis may result in multinucleated cells or aneuploidy, where daughter cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes. These abnormalities can disrupt normal cellular functions, leading to issues such as tumor formation or developmental disorders. Understanding these impacts highlights the importance of accurate cytokinesis in maintaining genetic stability and proper physiological function within an organism.

Related terms

Cell Cycle: The series of phases that a cell goes through in order to grow and divide, including interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis.

Cleavage Furrow: The indentation that begins to form in an animal cell's membrane during cytokinesis, leading to the separation of the daughter cells.

Cell Plate: A structure that forms during cytokinesis in plant cells, which eventually develops into the cell wall separating the two daughter cells.