The process of cytokinesis plays a vital role in cell division. If there are any alterations in the process, there will be negative consequences, long-lasting to the individual. It is defined as the physical process through which the cytoplasm of the parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. Let us learn more about the process of cytokinesis by the end of this article.
Definition and overview
Cytokinesis is one step under the process of cell division. It is defined as the physical process through which the cytoplasm of the parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. In other words, the formation of two daughter cells by the division of cytoplasm and plasma membrane after the division of the nucleus.
This process happens when both processes, mitosis, and meiosis of nuclear division, work together in the animal body. Mitosis and meiotic are both responsible for separating nuclei of a single cell.
The separation of the nucleus along with the cell in two half-daughter cells is done by the cytokinesis process. This process begins with the anaphase (nuclear division phase) till the telophase of the cell cycle. A contractile ring comprises protein filaments produced around the plasma membrane. This ring shrinks at the sight of the equator, gives the plasma membrane inner side and forms the cleavage furrow. Finally, the ring shrinks until the two daughter cells and the plasma membrane are produced.
The cell cycle process ends with the division of the cytoplasm through the process of cytokines. Generally, in every cell, mitosis and cytokinesis occur simultaneously. However, some cells such as drosophila embryos do not undergo mitosis without cytokinesis and form multinucleated cells.
The visibility of a pucker or cleavage furrow on the upper side of the cell is the sign of the beginning of the process of cytokinesis in animal cells. Then, this furrow immediately deepens and scatters in the cell body till the completion of cell division into two.
Therefore, cytokinesis is divided into four stages- initiation, contraction, membrane insertion, and completion.
The issue associated with cytokinesis is that it should begin at the right time and location. For instance, cytokinesis should not happen in the M-phase, or it will destroy the whole pathway of the cycle.
Hence, it should always follow the right pattern to receive a complete set of daughter cells. Any defect in the process leads to malfunctioning of genetic material, causing multinucleation, polyploidy, and finally aneuploidy, which is related to many diseases such as cancer.
Cell cycle
All eukaryotic cells follow a cyclical process. This consists of the basic steps, which are mentioned below:
(1) Resting phase (Gap 0)
(2) Interphase (Gap 1, S phase, Gap 2)
(3) Cell division (i.e., mitotic phase and cytokinesis).
The cell may begin with the quiescent phase, G0, also known as the resting phase, or the cell will enter into the other remaining phases to initiate the cell cycle.
If the cell undergoes mitosis, it enters into interphase and replicates its DNA. After that, it enters into cell division, which consists of the mitotic phase and cytokinesis both. In the mitotic phase, two daughter nuclei are produced with identical genetic material. Cytokinesis is the part of the cell cycle in which other cell components separate from each other and produce two daughter cells from the parent cell. This process follows the telophase. In eukaryotic cells, it is noticed that reduction in the cell membrane is known as cleavage furrow. In the case of plant cells, it occurs when an expanding plate cell forms across the cell and is called a phragmoplast.
Indications of Cytokinesis
- It happens at the end of the cycle when the daughter cells are formed
- Contractile ring formation is the main indicator of this process
- There is the presence of cytoskeleton proteins in the ring part
Significance of Cytokinesis
Cytokinesis is a crucial process that splits the cell in half and ensures that each daughter cell has one nucleus. Cytokinesis begins at the anaphase phase of nuclear division and continues into telophase.
Conclusion
It is defined as the physical process through which the cytoplasm of the parental cell is divided into two daughter cells. Therefore, the process of cytokinesis plays a vital role in cell division. If there are any alterations in the process, there would be negative consequences, long-lasting for the individual. Any defect in the process leads to malfunctioning of genetic material, causing multinucleation, polyploidy, and finally aneuploidy, which is related to many diseases such as cancer.