cytokinesis
Low (Specialist/Scientific)Technical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
The physical process of cell division, immediately following nuclear division (mitosis or meiosis), where the cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell is divided into two daughter cells.
The cytoplasmic division phase of the cell cycle, often conceptualized as the final step in cellular reproduction. In plant cells, it involves formation of a cell plate; in animal cells, it involves formation of a cleavage furrow. In broader contexts, it can metaphorically refer to processes of division or splitting that follow a main event.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A precise biological term. It is distinct from but intimately linked to nuclear division (karyokinesis). It is a stage of the M-phase of the cell cycle. Rarely used metaphorically outside of biology, unlike 'mitosis'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Potential minor pronunciation variation (see IPA).
Connotations
Purely scientific, no cultural connotations differ between regions.
Frequency
Equally rare and confined to biological contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Cytokinesis + verb (occurs, begins, follows)Cytokinesis + preposition + noun (in animal cells, of the cytoplasm)Noun + of cytokinesis (process, regulation, completion)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in biological sciences, particularly in cell biology, genetics, and developmental biology textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in laboratory protocols, scientific discussions, and medical research (e.g., in cancer studies targeting cell division).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The cell will then cytokinese.
- The embryo is cytokinising rapidly.
American English
- The cell will then undergo cytokinesis.
- The embryo is rapidly completing cytokinesis.
adverb
British English
- The division proceeded cytokinesetically.
- N/A
American English
- The division proceeded via cytokinesis.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The cytokinetic apparatus was clearly visible.
- They studied cytokinetic failures.
American English
- The cytokinesis-related proteins were tagged.
- They studied failures in cytokinesis.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cells split into two. This splitting is called cytokinesis.
- After the nucleus divides, the rest of the cell splits in a process named cytokinesis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cyto-' (cell) + 'kinesis' (movement/division) = the cell's movement into two. Remember it as the 'kinetic' or active splitting of the cell body after the nucleus has divided.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FINAL CUT (or THE DIVIDING OF THE INHERITANCE). After the crucial genetic material is sorted (mitosis), the cellular 'estate' (cytoplasm and organelles) is physically partitioned between the two heirs.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'цитокины' (cytokines), which are signalling proteins. 'Цитокинез' is the direct equivalent.
- Avoid translating it as simply 'деление клетки' (cell division), as that is the broader term encompassing both mitosis and cytokinesis.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'cytokensis' or 'cytokynesis'.
- Using it interchangeably with 'mitosis'.
- Pronouncing the 'kine' part as /kaɪn/ (like 'kinetic') instead of /kɪˈniː/.
Practice
Quiz
Cytokinesis is best defined as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Mitosis is the division of the cell's nucleus. Cytokinesis is the division of the cell's cytoplasm and occurs after mitosis.
If cytokinesis fails, mitosis may still occur, resulting in a single cell with two nuclei (a binucleated cell). This can lead to genetic instability.
Animal cells form a cleavage furrow that pinches the cell in two. Plant cells build a new cell wall (cell plate) inside the cell to divide it.
Cytokinesis occurs during the M-phase (mitotic phase), specifically in the telophase stage, overlapping with the end of mitosis.