Cytokinesis

Definition

Cytokinesis is the final process of cell division where the cytoplasm of a parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. It follows mitosis or meiosis, ensuring that each new cell receives the necessary organelles and cytoplasmic components. This separation is crucial for cellular function and allows for growth, repair, and reproduction in living organisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cytokinesis differs between plant and animal cells; in animals, it occurs through a cleavage furrow, while in plants, a cell plate forms to separate the two daughter cells.
2. During cytokinesis, various proteins and structures, such as actin and myosin, play vital roles in facilitating the contraction and separation of the cytoplasm.
3. Failure of cytokinesis can lead to multinucleated cells or abnormal cell division, which can be linked to diseases like cancer.
4. Cytokinesis is often regulated by signaling pathways that ensure proper timing and coordination with mitosis or meiosis.
5. The entire process of cytokinesis typically takes place in the late stages of telophase, marking the end of cell division.

Review Questions

• How does cytokinesis differ between plant and animal cells, and why are these differences important?
  • Cytokinesis in animal cells involves the formation of a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell membrane inward to separate the two daughter cells. In contrast, plant cells form a cell plate that develops into a new cell wall between the daughter cells. These differences are important because they reflect the structural variations between plant and animal cells, particularly regarding their rigid cell walls and fluid membrane dynamics.
• Discuss the role of proteins in facilitating cytokinesis and how disruptions to these proteins can affect cell division.
  • Proteins like actin and myosin are crucial for the contractile ring formation during cytokinesis in animal cells. They facilitate the constriction of the membrane leading to cell division. Disruptions or mutations in these proteins can hinder proper cytoplasmic separation, potentially resulting in failure to divide correctly, which can lead to conditions such as cancer or other cellular abnormalities.
• Evaluate the implications of cytokinesis failure on organismal health and development, including potential links to diseases.
  • Failure of cytokinesis can result in multinucleated cells or aneuploidy, where daughter cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes. These cellular anomalies can disrupt normal tissue function and contribute to tumorigenesis. The understanding of cytokinesis failure is essential in medical research as it helps elucidate pathways involved in cancer progression and potential therapeutic targets to prevent uncontrolled cell growth.

Related terms

Mitosis: The process of nuclear division in eukaryotic cells that leads to the formation of two identical daughter nuclei.

Meiosis: A specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the production of gametes.

Cell Cycle: The series of phases that a cell goes through from its formation to the point it divides into two daughter cells, including interphase and mitotic phase.