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Cytokinesis

Discover the complex world of Biology with a comprehensive focus on Cytokinesis, a crucial cellular process integral to life. You'll gain an in-depth understanding of Cytokinesis, exploring its definition, crucial nuances, and how it differs from Mitosis. With detailed illustrations and examples from both animal and plant cells, you'll grasp the intricacies of this living phenomenon. Unravel the mysteries of the cell today through the lens of Cytokinesis.

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Cytokinesis

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Discover the complex world of Biology with a comprehensive focus on Cytokinesis, a crucial cellular process integral to life. You'll gain an in-depth understanding of Cytokinesis, exploring its definition, crucial nuances, and how it differs from Mitosis. With detailed illustrations and examples from both animal and plant cells, you'll grasp the intricacies of this living phenomenon. Unravel the mysteries of the cell today through the lens of Cytokinesis.

Understanding Cytokinesis - A Comprehensive Overview

Cytokinesis refers to a fundamental process during cell division, imperative for the successful replication and division of cells. This biological necessity is a multi-step process, resulting in the creation of two daughter cells from one parent cell. You'll be enlightened in the following sections where we unravel the complex details about cytokinesis.

The Cytokinesis Definition in Clear Terms

New to the concept of Cytokinesis? Worry not! Let's break it down in simpler words.

In Biology, Cytokinesis refers to the physical process of cell division, which objectifies the separation of the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells. This is the last step in the cell division after mitosis, the process where a cell duplicates its chromosomes.

There's a bit more to cytokinesis than what meets the eye. To truly understand it, let's tackle its underlying nuances.

What is Cytokinesis?

During cell division or mitosis, the cell duplicates its chromosomes and organizes them into two sets. Now, it's cytokinesis job to pull the trigger and physically separate these two sets along with the cytoplasm, hence creating two new cells.

Processes of cytokinesis may slightly vary among plant and animal cells. Yet, the core principle remains the same – to produce two cells from one.

  • In animal cells, cytokinesis is orchestrated through a technique known as the cleavage furrow. This indention encircles the middle of the cell, eventually constricting it until the cell is pinched in two.
  • Contrarily, plant cells take a different approach. Here, a partitioning structure known as the cell plate forms in the middle of the cell and incrementally expands outwards until it merges with the cell wall. Hence, creating two separate cells.

Nuances of Cytokinesis Description

While the basic explanation of cytokinesis gives you an overview, it's worth digging deeper to understand the intricate mechanisms that drive this process.

There are a few critical phases you need to familiarize yourself within cytokinesis.

In animal cells, cytokinesis initiates during the anaphase of mitosis – when the chromosomes are being pulled apart. A cellular structure called contractile ring, composed of actin and myosin proteins, forms beneath the plasma membrane, starting the formation of cleavage furrow.

Meanwhile, in plant cells, cytokinesis starts later during the telophase of mitosis. Here, vesicles filled with wall materials line up at the equator of the cell, melding to form a structure known as the cell plate.

To summarize, let's structure this into an easy-to-understand table:

Animal Cells Plant Cells
Begins during anaphase of mitosis Begins during telophase of mitosis
Cell shape changes through cleavage furrow Cells separate through the creation of a cell plate

Cytokinesis, although a seemingly straightforward process, is of great significance. It ensures the propagation and survival of cells, forming the foundation for growth and development in organisms.

Imagine a bustling city that's overflowing with people. To accommodate more people, the city needs to divide its land into smaller residential areas. Similarly, when a cell feels the need to replicate, it undergoes cytokinesis which partitions the cell's content into two new cells.

Decoding cytokinesis allows you to understand the elegant complexity behind cellular division, one of life's most fantastic phenomena.

Detailed Inspection of the Cytokinesis Process

Cytokinesis is an enthralling biological process with major nuances. This section offers a comprehensive understanding about its occurrence. By investigating cytokinesis in a detailed manner, you'd unearth its incredible significance in cellular life.

The Entire Process of Cytokinesis: A Step-by-step Illustration

Cytokinesis starts as mitosis nears completion, marking the finale of one full cell cycle. It's a cell's systematic way of ensuring that equal partition of cytoplasm and organelles takes place, resulting in two new cells.

Before delving into the step-by-step action of cytokinesis, it's essential to comprehend how it fits into the overall cell cycle. A cell cycle operates in interphase and mitotic phase. The interphase is where the cell grows and copies its DNA while in the mitotic phase, this copied DNA further divides into two new nuclei (mitosis), followed by cytokinesis where the cell's cytoplasm divides.

At the end of the mitotic phase, cytokinesis initiates. Here's a detailed walk-through:

  • Initiation: In animal cells, cytokinesis starts during the anaphase of mitosis. This is the stage when doubled chromosomes begin to separate and drag to opposite poles. Simultaneously, a cleavage furrow begins to form around the equator of the cell due to the contraction of the actomyosin ring. In contrast, plant cells start cytokinesis during the telophase, where the formation of a cell plate initiates.
  • Progression: As the genome segregates into two halves, the cleavage furrow deepens in animal cells. This ultimately leads to the final separation of two identical daughter cells. When it comes to plant cells, vesicles loaded with cell wall materials collect in the middle of the cell and join to form the cell plate.
  • Completion: This is the final stage of cytokinesis where cell division is completed. For animal cells, this is when the cleavage furrow fully invaginated, creating two separate daughter cells. In plant cells, the cell plate continues to grow until it connects with the cell wall, thereby partitioning the mother cell into two new daughter cells.

What Happens During Cytokinesis?

During cytokinesis, the parent cell divides into two daughter cells – each with an identical set of chromosomes. This process varies slightly between animal and plant cells due to the presence of a rigid cell wall in plant cells.

In animal cells, the cell membrane starts to pinch inward in a process called cleavage. This is driven by a ring of actin and myosin filaments that contract, pulling the cell membrane inward. Eventually, the cell membrane meets in the middle of the cell and fully constricts, splitting the parent cell into two daughter cells.

In contrast, plant cells undergo cytokinesis through the creation of a cell plate. The presence of a rigid cell wall means that plant cells cannot simply pinch apart like animal cells. Instead, vesicles transported down the cell's microtubules merge at the middle of the cell. These vesicles fuse to create a new cell wall, called the cell plate, which grows outward until it reaches the cell wall and fuses with it, separating the two new daughter cells.

Noteworthy Cytokinesis Examples in Biology

There's enormous benefit in studying real-world examples of cytokinesis to further comprehend this pivotal biological process. This section focuses on how cytokinesis manifests in different cell types - animal and plant cells.

Cytokinesis in Animal Cells: A Close Look

The process of cytokinesis in animal cells is quite intriguing and provides key insights into the workings of cellular division. Animal cells depend on the functionality of two proteins, actin and myosin for successful cytokinesis. At the onset of this division, a structure called the contractile ring (composed of said proteins) forms right beneath the plasma membrane along the middle of the cell. As the contractile ring squeezes the cell, it triggers invagination of the plasma membrane, gradually forming a cleavage furrow around the cell's circumference. Over time, this furrow deepens and the cell gets 'pinched' into two parts, thereby completing cytokinesis.

Cytokinesis in Plant Cells: A Comparative Study

In contrast to the cytokinesis process in animal cells, plant cells depict a completely different method. Since plant cells are enveloped by a rigid cell wall, the 'pinching' method isn't feasible. Instead, cytokinesis happens via construction of a new structure known as the cell plate. This plate originates at the center of the cell where several tiny vesicles (containing components for a new plant cell wall) congregate and fuse together forming the cell plate. Gradually, this plate grows outwards until it merges with the cell walls on the sides. Therefore, instead of 'pinching in', plant cells cytokinesis process revolves around 'building out' a new wall that effectively divides the original cell into two daughter cells. This fascinating mechanism ensures successful completion of cytokinesis in plant cells.

Cytokinesis Versus Mitosis: Distinguishing Between the Two

The world of cell biology is filled with fascinating phenomena like cytokinesis and mitosis. They both play a crucial role in cell division. However, it might be tricky to distinguish between these two given their interdependent functionalities. Rest assured, their difference and individual significance would get clear in the following sections.

Cytokinesis Vs Mitosis: Underlining the Variances

Mitosis and cytokinesis shouldn't be interchangeably used as they each have distinct roles in the process of cell division. They bear crucial responsibilities in maintaining the cycle of life – as without mitosis, there'd be no cytokinesis and vice versa.

Before proceeding with the differences, let's briefly revisit the definitions of mitosis and cytokinesis.

Mitosis is the process of nuclear division where the nucleus of a cell divides into two, each with an equal number of chromosomes. Essentially, it ensures the equal distribution of genetic material between daughter nuclei.

Cytokinesis, on the other hand, is the process of cytoplasmic division. It physically separates the cell into two new daughter cells post-mitosis. It makes sure every new cell gets a fair share of the cytoplasm and organelles.

The primary difference between mitosis and cytokinesis lies in their roles during cell division. While mitosis is responsible for equal distribution of chromosomes, cytokinesis ensures equal distribution of cytoplasm, thus creating two new cells.

Mitosis, as mentioned, occurs in a series of stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Cytokinesis starts during the anaphase of mitosis and concludes as mitosis comes to an end.

A noteworthy distinguishing factor is that mitosis can happen without cytokinesis (as seen in some fungi and algae), leading to multinucleated cells. However, cytokinesis without mitosis, although rare, could lead to multi-lobed cells as seen in certain mammalian liver cells.

Why Cytokinesis differs from Mitosis: An Insightful Explanation

The difference between cytokinesis and mitosis lies in the core objective of each process. Mitosis is primarily concerned with duplicating the parent cell's DNA and equally partitioning it into two nuclei. Cytokinesis, meanwhile, deals with distribution of the parent cell's cytoplasm and organelles into the two daughter cells.

While mitosis can be seen as the preparatory phase, setting the stage for cell division, cytokinesis is the action phase, executing the actual physical division of the cell.

Mitosis, being a process within the nucleus, focuses on the conservation and equal distribution of genetic data, ensuring each daughter cell possesses the same sets of chromosomes. Thus, mitosis fundamentally concerns itself with genetic __identity__.

Conversely, cytokinesis underlines the continuity of cellular life by ensuring each daughter cell borne from cell division inherits a fair share of cytoplasm, organelles, and other components from the parent cell. What matters in cytokinesis is carrying forward the cellular __identity__.

In summary, both mitosis and cytokinesis are two sides of the same coin, cooperating harmoniously for successful cell division. Yet, they are distinctly separate entities with unique roles to play.

The following table summarizes the distinction:

Mitosis Cytokinesis
Concerns with the division of the nucleus Deals with the division of the cytoplasm
Ensures equal distribution of chromosomes Guarantees equal partitioning of cytoplasm and organelles
Can occur without cytokinesis leading to multinucleated cells Rarely happens without mitosis, which may result in multi-lobed cells
Focuses on conserving genetic __identity__ Emphasizes on maintaining cellular __identity__

While both are intrinsically linked, understanding the distinction between mitosis and cytokinesis allows one to appreciate the remarkable logic and precision of cell biology.

Cytokinesis - Key takeaways

  • Cytokinesis is a fundamental process during cell division, resulting in creation of two daughter cells from one parent cell.
  • It's the physical process of the cell division that separates the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells. It is the last step in the cell division after mitosis.
  • In animal cells, cytokinesis is conducted through a technique known as the cleavage furrow, an indentation that wraps around the middle of the cell, gradually constricting it until the cell is split in two.
  • In plant cells, cytokinesis is performed via a partitioning structure called the cell plate. This structure forms in the middle of the cell and gradually expands outwards until it fuses with the cell wall, creating two separate cells.
  • Mitosis is the process where a cell duplicates its chromosomes while cytokinesis ensures equal division of cytoplasm, thus creating two new cells.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is the process during cell division where the cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell is divided into two daughter cells. It follows the separation of the genetic material in mitosis or meiosis.

During cytokinesis, the cytoplasm of a cell is divided into two daughter cells, following the end of mitosis or meiosis. This process includes the formation of a cleavage furrow in animal cells, or a cell plate in plant cells, which eventually splits the cell.

Cytokinesis occurs after mitosis, the process where a single cell divides to form two identical cells. Specifically, it takes place during the last part of the cell cycle, called the M phase, right after the end of telophase.

No, cytokinesis is not part of mitosis. They are two separate processes. However, they are both stages of cell division, with cytokinesis happening immediately after mitosis.

Cytokinesis in animal cells occurs through a process called cleavage, where the cell membrane pinches inward to split the cell. In plant cells, cytokinesis happens by building a new cell wall, called a cell plate, down the middle of the cell.

Final Cytokinesis Quiz

Cytokinesis Quiz - Teste dein Wissen

Question

In what phase of the cell cycle does cytokinesis occur?

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Answer

Mitotic phase

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Question

What is cytokinesis?

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Answer

Cytokinesis is the phase when cell division actually occurs through the physical separation of the cytoplasmic contents into two genetically identical daughter cells

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Question

In what cells does cytokinesis generally occur through a cleavage?

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Answer

Animal cells

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Question

How does a cleavage furrow form?

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Answer

During anaphase, a contractile ring made up of actin filamentsfrom the cytoskeleton will form inside the plasma membrane(where the metaphase plate was). As the actin filaments interact with myosin molecules, the contractile ring contracts, pulling the cell's equator inward, thereby forming the cleavage furrow.

Show question

Question

Where does the contractile ring form?

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Answer

The contractile ring forms inside the plasma membrane, where the metaphase plate was.

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Question

What is a major difference between cytokinesis in animal cells and plant cells?

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Answer

Cytokinesis in animal cells occurs through a cleavage, while in plant cells occurs through the formation of a cell plate.

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Question

What is abscission in cytokinesis?

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Answer

Abscission is the process by which a cleavage furrow seals itself.

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Question

Does cytokinesis always lead to the formation of two equal daughter cells? Explain. 

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Answer

No, there are some exceptions. For instance, during asymmetric cell division in developing organisms, an axis forms in the parent cell and the mitotic spindle reorients along this axis. Then, cell fate determinants are unequally distributed in the cell so that cytokinesis results in asymmetric daughter cells with different concentrations of fate-determining molecules, inducing different developmental outcomes for each cell. 

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Question

How is a cell plate formed?

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Answer

As the plant cell enters telophase, these Golgi vesicles are transported via microtubules to form a vesicular structure called phragmoplast at the metaphase plate. Then, the vesicles move from the center of the cell toward the cell walls where they fuse together into a structure called a cell plate.

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Question

After the formation of a cell plate, how does a plant cell separate into two daughter cells?

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Answer

The cell plate grows until its surrounding membrane merges with the plasma membrane around the cell's perimeter. This splits the cell into two daughter cells, each with its own set of organelles, and eventually enzymes harvest the glucose that has built up between the membrane layers to build a new cell wall between the two daughter cells. 

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Question

Where is the phragmoplast formed?

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Answer

The phragmoplast is formed at the metaphase plate before moving towards the center of the cell.

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Question

What happens after cytokinesis?

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Answer

Cytokinesis marks the end of the cell cycle. The DNA has been separated and the new cells have all the cell structures they need to survive. As the cell division is completed, the daughter cells begin their cell cycle. 

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Question

It is essential that cytokinesis occurs  ___ the segregation of chromosomes.

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Answer

after

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Question

This refers to an organism whose cells are missing one or more chromosomes

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Answer

Aneuploid

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Question

These structures form during cell division to separate and equally partition the chromosomes between the two daughter cells. 

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Answer

Mitotic spindles

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Question

What is the definition of cytokinesis in biology?

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Answer

Cytokinesis refers to the physical process of cell division, wherein the cytoplasm of a parental cell is separated into two daughter cells. This is the last step in cell division after mitosis.

Show question

Question

How does cytokinesis differ in animal and plant cells?

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Answer

In animal cells, cytokinesis happens through a cleavage furrow which pinches the cell into two. In contrast, plant cells create a cell plate which expands to create two separate cells.

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Question

When does cytokinesis initiate in animal cells and plant cells?

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Answer

In animal cells, cytokinesis initiates during the anaphase of mitosis whereas in plant cells, it begins during the telophase of mitosis.

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Question

What is the significance of cytokinesis?

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Answer

Cytokinesis is of great significance in the propagation and survival of cells, as well acting as the foundation for growth and development in organisms.

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Question

What is cytokinesis and when does it start in a cell cycle?

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Answer

Cytokinesis is a cellular process that ensures equal partition of cytoplasm and organelles, resulting in two new cells. It starts as mitosis nears its completion, marking the end of one cell cycle.

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Question

How does cytokinesis process differ between animal and plant cells?

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Answer

In animal cells, a ring of actin and myosin filaments forms a cleavage furrow which separates the cell into two. In plant cells, vesicles create a cell plate, which grows and fuses with the cell wall to separate the two new cells.

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Question

What role do actin and myosin play in cytokinesis in animal cells?

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Answer

Actin and myosin form the contractile ring in animal cells during cytokinesis. This ring squeezes the cell and triggers invagination of the plasma membrane, forming a cleavage furrow, which pinches the cell into two parts.

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Question

How does cytokinesis occur in plant cells?

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Answer

In plant cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cell plate. Vesicles containing cell wall components merge in the middle of the cell to form this plate, which grows outwards until it merges with the cell walls on the sides, dividing the cell into two.

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Question

What is the main role of mitosis in cell division?

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Answer

Mitosis is responsible for the equal distribution of chromosomes between two daughter nuclei. It focuses on conserving genetic identity.

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Question

What is the primary function of cytokinesis in cell division?

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Answer

Cytokinesis ensures equal distribution of the cytoplasm and organelles, thus creating two new cells. Its focus is on maintaining cellular identity.

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Question

At what stage of mitosis does cytokinesis begin and end?

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Answer

Cytokinesis starts during the anaphase of mitosis and concludes as mitosis comes to an end.

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Question

What can happen if mitosis occurs without cytokinesis? And cytokinesis without mitosis?

Show answer

Answer

If mitosis occurs without cytokinesis, it can lead to multinucleated cells. Conversely, cytokinesis without mitosis, whilst rare, could lead to multi-lobed cells.

Show question

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

In what phase of the cell cycle does cytokinesis occur?

In what cells does cytokinesis generally occur through a cleavage?

What is a major difference between cytokinesis in animal cells and plant cells?

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Flashcards in Cytokinesis27

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In what phase of the cell cycle does cytokinesis occur?

Mitotic phase

What is cytokinesis?

Cytokinesis is the phase when cell division actually occurs through the physical separation of the cytoplasmic contents into two genetically identical daughter cells

In what cells does cytokinesis generally occur through a cleavage?

Animal cells

How does a cleavage furrow form?

During anaphase, a contractile ring made up of actin filamentsfrom the cytoskeleton will form inside the plasma membrane(where the metaphase plate was). As the actin filaments interact with myosin molecules, the contractile ring contracts, pulling the cell's equator inward, thereby forming the cleavage furrow.

Where does the contractile ring form?

The contractile ring forms inside the plasma membrane, where the metaphase plate was.

What is a major difference between cytokinesis in animal cells and plant cells?

Cytokinesis in animal cells occurs through a cleavage, while in plant cells occurs through the formation of a cell plate.

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